Reply To Mr Kirk On E.E.C.

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32392, 3 September 1970, Page 12

Reply To Mr Kirk On E.E.C.

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON, September 7.

A publicity campaign on New Zealand’s attitude to the E.E.C., directed at British consumers and electors would be “a wrong move now,” said the Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall) tonight. To do so over the heads of the British Government would be a “tactical error,” he said.

He was commenting on the suggestion made by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk), speaking at the annual conference, in Christchurch, of the Institute for International Affairs. The head of the political science department at the University of Canterbury (Professor W. K. Jackson) also had suggested that New Zealand might use the press and the British housewife to its advantage in the Common Market situation.

series of speaking tours in Britain, aimed at enlarging public awareness of the New Zealand position, said Mr Marshall. “We have invited influential British and European newspapers to send their economic specialists to New Zealand to see for themselves. The most recent of these was the supplements editor of the highly influential French economic monthly “L'Expansion," who spent three weeks in New Zealand last month. A major plank of New Zealand’s policy was to encourage visits by influential members of the E.E.C. Governments. hnd this had been particularly successful, he said. .“The readiness with which these Governments have responded to our invitations is in itself an indication of their willingness to understand our case and of the success of our present policies,” said Mr Marshall.

“Such a.campaign could be regarded by the British Government as a form of interference in its domestic and internal politics. How would we react if the British Government deliberately attempted to influence the political situation in New Zealand?” Mr Marshall asked. “Direct attempts to influence the British public could also be resented by the Community members themselves, which are at present negotiating conditions of entry with the British Government.

Mr Marshall said that the situation for New Zealand was fraught with danger if the “special arrangement” did not eventuate. But that the situation had become more encouraging as the negotiations have drawn closer. We must not spoil our chances by false moves, he said.

“So far as New Zealand is concerned, we have never opposed British entry to the E.E.C. We have consistently said that this is a decision for the British Government. All we have asked is that our basic interests should be safeguarded.

One example of this is the recent monetary and economic report on New Zealand and an enlarged E.E.C which has had a wide distribution in Britain and Europe and has been extensively quoted. A more simplified statement of New Zealand’s special case is being published in brochure form and will be circulated to every influential section of the British public before the end of the year. This will also be translated into the fo jjr Community languages.” There were other steps being taken to supplement these efforts. The New Zealand High Commissioner in London was engaged on a