E.E.C. ‘good’ for Britain

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32540, 25 February 1971, Page 3

E.E.C. ‘good’ for Britain

It would be good for Britain to join the European Economic Community, provided the terms and conditions were right, said one of Scotland’s leading financiers, Mr H. C. Stenhouse, in Christchurch yesterday.

Mr Stenhouse, who is chairman of the Stenhouse group of insurance broking and industrial companies, is spending eight days in New Zealand inspecting his business interests.

“By the right terms I mean the right terms for Britain, and for others who depend on us,” he said. “New Zealanders should not worry too much; it is important to wait until we see the facts. The United Kingdom has a brilliant Prime Minister in Mr Heath, who knows the difficulties associated with entry into the E.E.C. as no other, and who is not going to rush things. “Your own Government, as

well as Britain’s is well aware of the problems. I repeat that we should wait until we have the facts.”

Apart from being chairman of one of the largest insurance broking companies in the world, and having interests in the manufacture of motor vehicles, furniture, glue, jewellery and stockings, Mr Stenhouse owns two farms in Scotland. The farms were not large by New Zealand standards, he said, but they were “pretty scientifically run.” He is also national treasurer of the Scottish Unionist (Conservative) Party, a position he took over from Lord Fraser of Callander in 1967.