Press Reaction Varies, But Entry Expected

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29931, 19 September 1962, Page 15

Press Reaction Varies, But Entry Expected

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright)

LONDON, Sept. 18. The British press this morning generally regarded the continuation of Britain’s bid to enter the European Common Market as inevitable. But the newspapers also noted the still outstanding differences between the Commonwealth Prime Ministers and Britain on this momentous issue.

Some newspapers regarded ♦he suggestion bv the Prime Minister of Canada (Mr Diefenbaker) for an international economic conference as attractive but unpropitious at present. Several newspapers also published a full-page advertisement by the Anti-Common Market League, which claimed that British entry would ‘‘rupture the cohesion of the Commonwealth" and that “the Commonwealth, not Europe, is the real challenge for Britain’s traders and statesmen."

The “Daily Mail.” which published the advertisement, said that although it was in favour of Britain entering the Common Market. it would “never deny anyone with opposite views the opportunity of airing them.” The diplomatic correspondent of “The Times” said it was certain that there would be a communique at the end of the Commonwealth Prime Ministers’ conference and that the British Government “will leave the conference with broad Commonwealth support for their decision to continue the Brussels negotiations.”

But the “Daily Express” in huge headlines on its front page, said: “Go back to Brussels if you must Commonwealth Premiers tell Macmillan. Our attitude stays unchanged No, no, no again.” The "Daily Express” said

that after a week of “desperate lobbying.” Mr Macmillan, Last night faced the fact that his bid to win the Commonwealth over to his Common Market policy had failed. The newspaper also published an editorial which said that Mr Diefenbaker had deflated the hopes of the British Government by renewing bis opposition to the terms tor Britain’s entry into the Common Market. “It is clear that the majority of Commonwealth ministers agree with him,” the editorial added. In an editorial, "The Times” said: "The ne :t vital stage remains between Britain and the Six. Many plans will have to be thought out again unless the next round in Brussels goes well." Referring to Mr Diefenbaker’s suggestion for an international economic conference, “The Times” editoria>l asked: “In the industrial field, what could this new conference achieve that has not already been accomplished by the recent round of tariff negotiations under the wing of G.A.T.T. in Geneva?”

The Commonwealth correspondent of the “Guardian" said: “Whart emerges from all the speech-making and the backstage consultation's of the Last week is that within the 15 delegations there is a hard core group which might be called the ‘tough five': Australia. Canada, India, New Zealand, and Pakistan.” The “Guardian” correspondent described the Australian Prime Minister (Mr Menzies) as “one of the toughest critics" of British entry into the Common Market On another page, the “Guardian” published an editorial which said that the Commonwealth Prime Ministers' talks had failed to bring to light any immediate alternative to Britain's entry to the Common Market that might offer both Britain and the Commonwealth better prospects of expanding trade. After saying that Mr Diefenbaker'« proposal for a world - onferenee has “great

attraction” to a certain extent, the editorial said: “But experience has shown that progress towards the goal of world-wide free trade is likely to bi greater if it is approached in stages rather than by attempting to reach it in a single stride. “It still seems probable that the end will be brought nearer by Britain’s entry into the Common Market than by out staying outside —provided no harm is suffered by the Commonwealth during the period while satisfactory long-term arrangements for world trade are being worked out” A “Daily Mail” report said that “Mr Macmillan has called on the Commonwealth to give the young ones the lead they need towards ‘the frontiers of the future.' “This dramatic appeal on behalf of youth was made in a glowing 50-minute address to the Commonwealth conference yesterday. Mr Macmillan’s plea won him the go-ahead for his plans to join Europe on ‘fair terms,’ ” the report said. “The gap between the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth critics of Britain's proposed entry into the European Economic Community seemed almost as wide as ever, when the Prime Ministers' conference wound up its discussion of the Common Market problem yesterday.” the “Financial Times” foreign editor wrote. A ‘-‘Financial Times” editorial described Mr Diefenbaker’s conference proposal as having an “obvious attraction.” but added: “Such a conference now would have an appearance of drama which few of its members would feel and might only too easily end in anti-climax. And it would be difficult to repeat the experiment later.” The Commonwealth correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph" said that the Commonwealth “dissatisfaction" was tempered by an understanding of Britain's position and. on the whole, a statesmanlike concern that the conference should end constructively. Jr