Trade Debate Before Mr Marshall Leaves

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31380, 27 May 1967, Page 1

Trade Debate Before Mr Marshall Leaves

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, May 26. Parliament will probably hold a special debate on trade on the eve of the departure of the Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Marshall) for talks in London on safeguards for New Zealand’s interests as a result of Britain’s application to join the Common Market.

Mr Marshall announced today he would leave for London on Thursday.

He said he would arrive in London on June 3 for a weeklong meeting with British Cabinet Ministers and trade officials. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) today suggested a special debate. The Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) said Wednesday would be the most suitable time. He proposed a threehour debate if there was sufficient time. < The Secretary of Industries and Commerce (Mr M. J. Moriarty) is already in London leading a New Zealand delegation which is holding preliminary discussions with British officials. After his talks in Britain, Mr Marshall

will fly to Washington to hold tw or three days of talks with American trade and Government officials. An N.Z.P.A. special correspondent in London reports that officials there say they are not sure What form the delegation's consultations will take—whether a “paper” will be presented by their opposite numbers in Whitehall or whether an agenda will be followed. Much would seem to depend on the outcome of the Rome “summit” meeting of the Common market countries on Monday and Tuesday.

If the British application for membership is allowed to proceed formal negotiations

between the British and the Six in Brussels are likely to begin almost immediately, which will necessitate a certain degree of crispness in the New Zealand-British exchanges. If the application is “blocked”—temporarily or permanently—a more leisurely pace could be adopted in the talks between the two countries.