U.K. ASSURANCE ON E.E.C. ENTRY

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30740, 3 May 1965, Page 1

U.K. ASSURANCE ON E.E.C. ENTRY

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, May 2.

An assurance that Britain would not consider entry to the Common Market under existing terms was given in Auckland this evening by the British Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations (Mr Arthur Bottomley).

“The British Government stands by its previous statements,” he said.

“The present terms on entry into the Common Market do not allow us to consider the matter, because Commonwealth interests will always come first.

“That is not to say that closer association with Europe as a whole is not a desirable thing for both Europe and the Commonwealth.”

Mr Bottomley said it was unwise to have a divided Europe, and anything to avoid this was desirable for the peace of the world.

Asked about the possibility of closer trade links inside the Commonwealth—the socalled “Commonwealth market”—Mr Bottomley said he was in favour of anything that could advance the Commonwealth economically, politicaly or socially. Mr Bottomley arrived this evening from Sydney for talks tomorrow with the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake). He is accompanied by nis wife, Mrs Bessie Bottomley, the permanent Under-Secretary for Commonwealth Relations, Sir Saville Garner, and his pri-

vate secretary, Mr P. J. S. Moon. Asked if the Labour Government would go to the

country on the question of steel nationalisation, Mr Bottomley smiled and said: “The Prime Minister determines when we will have an election. I would not like to usurp his authority in this matter.”

Speaking about the political situation in Rhodesia, the Commonwealth Secretary said that the Prime Minister of Rhodesia (Mr Smith) had expressed his anxieiy to secure a negotiated settlement over independence. “I can only hope this is so,” he said. “It is my earnest desire that this should happen.” There was no provision for ’ rther talks with Mr Smith, but if such talks, whether in London or Salisbury, could bring about a negotiated settlement they would be held. Mr Bottomley said that if unconstitutional action was taken by Rhodesia, Britain would impose economic sanctions. Secretariat Asked about the planned Commonwealth Secretariat, Mr Bottomley said it would be a going concern after the prime ministers’ conference in London in June. About 12 names were being considered for the post of secretary-general, and the decision would be made by the Commonwealth prime ministers.

The secretariat would disseminate factual information on matters of common interest and assist existing agencies in the promotion of Commonwealth co-operation in all fields. Mr Bottomley was met at the airport by the Minister of Housing (Mr Rae), the British High Commissioner (Sir lan Maclennan), the Secretary of External Affairs (Mr A. D. Mclntosh), the British Trade Commissioner in Auckland, Mr J. D. Leithead, and the regional director for British Information Services, Mr P. B. Porter.

Afterward he was the guest of the Governor-General (Sir Bernard Fergusson) and Lady Fergusson at Government House.