Fillip For Wool If L.K. Joins E.E.C.

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29983, 19 November 1962, Page 10

Fillip For Wool If L.K. Joins E.E.C.

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 18. As principal suppliers to the British market, New Zealand, Australian and South African woolgrowers had good reason to encourage the entry of Britain into the European Economic Community, two directors of the International Wool Secretariat said in Auckland today. Britain’s entry, they said, would remove the tariff barriers on the Continent against British woollen goods, open up the markets and bolster Britain’s demand for the raw material.

The future of mutton and lamb, on the other hand, was not viewed in such a rosy light. Little was eaten in Europe, they said, and the meat would have to be packaged much, more attractively to gain any popularity. Mr D. H. Clive, a British director, even thought the use of the word “mutton” should be discouraged. “It is a horrible word,” he said. “Surely a better one could be found.”

Mr J. Ter Haar, of Holland, the other director, agreed. He also shared Mr Clive’s

enthusiasm about the future of wool and his views on the importance to growers of Britain joining the E.E.C. “Britain has by far the biggest wool industry of any E.E.C. country,” he said. "If the tariff walls against her goods are knocked down, she will be able to compete on very favourable terms against the powerful synthetic fibre industries in Germany. France and Holland.” Mr Clive and Mr Ter Haar left for America this evening after eight days in New Zealand after an I.W.S. meeting in Melbourne.