U.K. MINISTER ASSURES N.Z.

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32073, 22 August 1969, Page 1

U.K. MINISTER ASSURES N.Z.

No British Parliament would agree to entry to the European Common Market if there was not a reasonable provision made for New Zealand—“it would just not be on,” the British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Mulley) said in Christchurch last evening.

Negotiations to join would probably open at the end of this year, or the beginning of next, he forecast.

Addressing the Christchurch branch of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, he said that most European countries were very concerned over New Zealand’s special case.

“We realise that you have a good living to keep and we are going to help you keep it,” Mr Mulley added.

Replying to questions on special arrangements for New Zealand produce in the context of a larger E.E.C. including Britain, the Minister said the essential thing for New Zealand was to have access to the British market. It was a problem of maximum possible access. If Britain was to join, along with Denmark and Ireland, there would be further readjustment of agriculture and the solving of problems would be very important and very difficult The problem of Britain’s fanners was not as great as might be thought—the main problem was one of price level.

“Part Of U.K.” “Apart from the distance of 12,000 miles, New Zealand in a sense is part of Britain,” Mr Mulley said. “You have arranged your economy to provide food for the British market, and in turn bought British goods.”

Although he realised New Zealand had been able to find some alternative markets, Britain was virtually the only purchaser of this country’s primary produce. Because of New Zealand’s dependence on the British market, she was for that reason, a special case. Mr Mulley forecast that in the next months Britain might get an answer to her application to join the E.E.C. made in May, 1967. There were many imponderables which might delay the opening of negotiations which he considered probable at the end of this year, or the beginning of next. Provided there were satisfactory arrangements on a number of points, he hoped

.negotiations would begin as soon as possible, and would (be as short as possible. i The Minister also expressed the hope that applications from other European countries would be considered as well. “The interests of the Commonwealth and of the world will be best served by building up the European community,” he said. He spoke of the dwindling importance of Britain and the Continent and said decisions on major issues, such as nuclear weapons and disarmament, rested with the Soviet Union and the United States.

One Voice i If Europe was to play an , important part in aiding development or in disarmament, I it was important that it speak ' as one voice and not as seve--1 ral. There was a need to work out a common defence and ’ foreign policy for Western ’ Europe, and he hoped, in the ' not too distant future for the ' whole continent of Europe. ’ Mr Mulley referred to the 1 economic advantages to Britain in joining the European ‘ community, and the importance of spreading the costs of ' research and development over a number of countries involved in production. The position of New Zealand and other countries en- , joying free access was a serious matter in the event of change, and it had been made , clear before the application to join the EJS.C. was made, that New Zealand’s problem was of very great concern to Britain. Time would be necessary for adjustment of agriculture: in the short term there would ; not be any marked economic advantage. "But in the long term and in the political sense, we want to join with our European neighbours because we want to make a contribution to development, have influence and play a role in the world,” Mr . Mulley said.

Withdrawal , He also discussed the economic reasons for withdraw-

ing permanent forces east of Suez, saying that it was a case of cutting the cloth according to the purse. It was not a case of wanting to withdraw from moral responsibilities, but attempt-

ing to carry these out without the necessary resources would not be fair to Britain’s friends. ' The Minister said it was wrong for Britain to depend on traditional ties with the Commonwealth. New' members had made it quite clear they would retain links as long as they were to their own advantage, and older members had to work more on national lines. Just as Commonwealth members were seeking the economic development of their own region, so was Britain interested in a strong Europe in which she could work together with other countries on common policies. “I just hope that now we will not be too much criticised for looking to ourselves,” he said.