The Press FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1966. U.K., E.F.T.A., E.E.C.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31208, 4 November 1966, Page 12

The Press FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1966. U.K., E.F.T.A., E.E.C.

As recently as September, visitors to the United Kingdom were told that there was “ no interest ” in the prospect of a renewed application by Britain to join the European Economic Community. The Prime Ministers’ conference, the dispute with the unconstitutional regime in Rhodesia, and preoccupation with Britain’s domestic and balance-of-payments problems were all of such urgency that politicians and administrators alike had virtually no time for other considerations. But Britain’s partners in the European Tree Trade Association have reminded Britain that they consider their relations with the E.E.C. warrant urgency; and they want Britain to give a lead in the new negotiations. This is the inference to be drawn from the reports from Lisbon, where the ministers of the seven E.F.T.A. countries met last week, and from the sudden departure this week of Mr George Brown for the Hague and Bonn. The final communique from the conference said the E.F.T.A. countries could best contribute to the ending of the economic division of Europe by coordinated action.

The Danes, who had previously talked of applying, with Sweden and Norway, for E.E.C. membership, have evidently dropped this idea in favour of an approach by all E.F.T.A. members. Britain’s unexpected readiness to negotiate may have prevented a rift in the E.F.T.A. ranks. Notwithstanding the apparent lack of interest in London two months ago, there have more recently been signs of a quickening sense of the need for action. The problem, of Britain’s economic drift remain, and there is a growing realisation that these problems will not be solved by any foreseeable expansion of trade with the E.F.T.A. or the Commonwealth. A week before the Lisbon meeting Mr Wilson’s Cabinet debated the issue and, according to one report, reached agreement on the need for a new bid to join the E.E.C.

The British Labour Party now accepts, although reluctantly, that Britain must sign the Treaty of Rome. It is too late for any newcomer to demand that the rules of the “Rome Club” be altered, although the older members might be prepared to waive the rules in the newcomer’s favour until he settles down in the club. A waiver would, in all likelihood, give British farmers and housewives a transitional period to accustom themselves to the withdrawals of farm subsidies, to the reduction of imports, to cheap foodstuffs, and to higher prices to the consumer. Less certainly, the waiver might permit long-term concessions to New Zealand suppliers of lamb and butter to Britain, their traditional market The extensions of New Zealand’s agreements with Britain on trade in these two commodities safeguard our main market for a further five years. An early decision by Britain on a renewed bid to join the E.E.C. would give New Zealand ample warning of any impending hindrance to this trade.