MR HEATH RETICENT

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32005, 4 June 1969, Page 1

MR HEATH RETICENT

(flew Zealand Press Association; WELLINGTON, June 3. The British Conservative Party leader (Mr Heath) today declined to be drawn on what he termed “specific” details concerning his party’s attitude towards special arrangements for New Zealand should Britain enter the Eurcpean Economic Community.

At a press conference he also declined to go into what he described as “specific price levels” for agricultural products in Britain if the next Conservative Government should shift the support for British agriculture from the taxpayer to the consumer by imposing levies on imported food at the ports.

Mr Heath, at a Parliamentary luncheon earlier, emphasised that his party was committed to making this “basic change” in Britain’s own agricultural policy

whether or not she became a member of the E.E.C. Most of the questions aimed at Mr Heath by. reporters concerned these two subjects. Closely questioned on the effect of the Conservative Party’s plans on New Zealand’s exports of primary produce to Britain, Mr Heath acknowledged that levies would “broadly provide a blanket coverage” of all foods entering Britain, although there would be some exceptions. “We haven’t committed ourselves to all commodities, and on becoming the Government we would''have to enter into further discussions with the farmers’ organisations in Britain and in supplying countries,” he said. "Complete Change” The change in agricultural policy had to be seen as part of a “complete change” in British economic policy which would involve changes in taxation and social services policy, Mr Heath said that “obviously” New Zealand lamb would continue to have a major place on the British market.

The sectors ,of agricultural production within Britain which would be mainly affected by the policy change Were cereals, beef, feeding stuffs and, to a certain extent, pig meats.

Asked if it was not a fact that encouragement of beef production in Europe was leading to increasing milk surpluses, Mr Heath admitted this was “a dilemma” for European farming and Britain also. Price Levels He declined to answer questions on possible consumer price levels for agricultural products in Britain under the new policy. “We may be two years away from government. I’m not going to explore any ideas about price levels at this stage.” Mr Heath said the nature of any special arrangements for New Zealand if Britain entered the E.E.C. was “some-

thing we must negotiate.” He could not say what was in the mind of the British Labour Government. But in the negotiations in 1962 he had been working towards “a lasting arrangement.”

Asked what he considered “adequate” special arrangements to be, Mr Heath said:

“These are not matters which can be discussed in the abstract. There has to be a

concrete situation such as when negotiations are actually going on.” Questioned about the enthusiasm among people in Britain to join the Common Market, he said there was enthusiasm, originally, when it appeared likely Britain might get in. The retirement of General de Gaulle had reawakened interest.