‘NEW MARKETS NEEDED’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31360, 4 May 1967, Page 1

‘NEW MARKETS NEEDED’

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, May 3.

New Zealand food must enter the new expanding markets in eastern Asia, southern Europe and elsewhere, or it would not win the battle for economic survival, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) said today. He was commenting on Britain’s decision to apply for membership of the European Economic Community.

Mr Kirk said it had come as no surprise that Britain should decide to reapply to join the E.E.C. “Hopes are not enough. It is time for realism, for a sustained attack on developing new markets in those parts of the world where living standards are rapidly rising, and where an increased demand for high-quality produce from New Zealand or some other country has to be met,” he said. Meat Producers “We have been assured that special arrangements will be made for New Zealand lamb. This is vital to the New Zealand economy,” said the chairman of the Meat Board (Sir John Ormond) today. “While we accept this situation we will fight every inch of the way to look after New Zealand’s interests and the farmers we represent. “Mr Wilson stated again in the House of Commons yesterday that special arrangements will be made for New Zealand and I accept the word of the British Prime Minister,” Sir John Ormond said. Dairy Board “We are confident that the

assurances given by the United Kingdom Government to New Zealand on numerous occasions will be honoured and I hope that the ‘special conditions’ for New Zealand will be accepted by the Common Market countries,” said Sir Andrew Linton, chairman of the Dairy Board, today. “I would accept the assurances which the British Government has given the country, that Britain would not feel able to enter the Common Market if she was unable to protect vital Commonwealth interests.” British PJU. The belief that New Zealand’s special problem would be dealt with sympathetically in Britain’s negotiations with the European Economic Community was expressed by the British Prime Minister (Mr Wilson) today, says a London cablegram. Questioned in the House of Commons after announcing Britain’s decision to apply to the E.E.C. for entry, he said the New Zealand problem was widely understood in Europe and would, he thought, be dealt with sympathetically.

It was tiie Government’s duty to seek in negotiations special safeguards for highly important Commonwealth issues and special arrangements would be made to keep in close consultation with members of the Commonwealth.