N.Z. Of Number One Priority’

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

N.Z. Of Number One Priority’

New Zealand was of “number one priority” among countries of the Commonwealth in the British Government’s thoughts where negotiations for British entry into the European Common Market were concerned, the British Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Mulley) said in an interview.

This special position of New Zealand was fully recognised both in Britain and by the member countries of the Common Market, Mr Mulley said. But it would be against the interests of both Britain and New Zealand if the British Government revealed details of its thoughts on special arrangements for New Zealand before negotiations took place, he said. This would merely give other parties to the negotiations more time to prepare

rebuttals. Any special arrangements would centre on exceptions from the E.E.C. agricultural policies.

Speaking of trade in the other direction, Mr Mulley said there was a new approach by British industry to the New Zealand market In the past some firms had tended to regard the New Zealand market as “the end at the milk run” but this was no longer the case, and it was now realised that New Zealand must be regarded as a special market in itself, and not just part of a regional market.

As far as New Zealand import restrictions were concerned, Britain welcomed the relaxations that were taking place. Britain well understood the real balanee-of-payments problems that New Zealand had experienced, and which had led to the restrictions. Mr Mulley arrived at Christchurch Airport from Wellington shortly before noon, and then drove to the/city where he had an informal meeting with the Deputy Mayor (Cr H. P. Smith) in the Mayoral chambers.

After lunch he was driven to Lincoln College, where he

was shown round for two hours by the dean of the faculty (Professor K. A. Harrison).