COMMON MARKET N.Z. Butter Will Not Stop British Bid

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31656, 17 April 1968, Page 12

COMMON MARKET N.Z. Butter Will Not Stop British Bid

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright)

PARIS, April 16.

The British Prime Minister (Mr Harold Wilson) is quoted as saying in an interview to be published in Paris today that Britain is now turned towards Europe and shares General de Gaulle’s wish that she should be more independent of the United States.

Mr Wilson is reported to have told the French weekly magazine, “Paris-Match,” that he would strive for Britain’s entry into the European Common Market as long as was necessary, and added that New Zealand butter would not prevent him from reaching this goal. Mr Wilson’s interviewer, Ravmond Tournoux, wrote that there were many problems to be solved before Britain joined the Common Market, for membership would mean she would either have to buy food on the Con-

tinent or pay the difference in the rates into a common coffer. Britain imported butter from New Zealand, for example, at two francs a kilo, but in Europe, compatible butter sold at eight francs a kilo. “Can your economy support this butden and envisage a complete modification, in its trade relations?” Tournoux asked the British Prime Minister. Mr Wilson replied that when the British Government applied for membership of the Common Market, it had stated clearly that it accepted the E.E.C.'s common agricultural policy, and that it would adapt to it. which would mean radical changes on Britain’s part.

"There are problems to be solved, and the problem of New Zealand is one,” said Mr Wilson. “But in spite of our substantial imports of food products, do not forget that we are large and very efficient agricultural producers. "In the case of cereals, for example, our production is almost as high as in France. In any case, we are in the same category. We can export, competitively, large quantities of barley to France. “In reality it would be interesting to complete your question and to compare the price of European butter, not with that of New Zealand, but with ours.” Mr Wilson denied that French-British relations were now worse than they were at Waterloo. “Far from it,” he said. “For the past 3i years I have had friendly, and very courteous relations with the French Government at all levels. “There is, however, no denying that France’s latest veto on the British application for entry into the European Community has damaged our relations. “Seen in a wider context, 'this was less a blow to French-British relations than to the true interests of France. Britain and Europe.” Mr Wilson said in reply to a question from the “Paris Match” reporter that if he were a Frenchman he would press for Britain’s immediate entry. “The technological gap is widening .. .We Europeans are losing ground every year,” he added.