Mr Wilson’s views on E.E.C. sought

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32586, 21 April 1971, Page 3

Mr Wilson’s views on E.E.C. sought

(N.Z.P.A. Staff Correspondent) LONDON, April 20. The Prime Minister (Sir Keith Holyoake) and the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) will both call on the British Leader of the Opposition (Mr Wilson) today. What they find out will be of almost as much interest in Britain as in New Zealand.

Many experienced commentators, both in London and Brussels, regard Mr Wilson as one of the key figures in Britain’s bid to enter the Common Market and New Zealand as the key issue.

Mr Wilson has maintained a neutral stand over the negotiations. His response to questioning by pro and antimarketeers has been, “We’ll have to wait and see what the terms are at the end of the day.”

There have been indications, however, that Mr Wilson, one of Britain’s most astute politicians, is looking for a chance to come out against entry on any terms. Both Sir Keith Holyake and Mr Kirk could provide him with valuable ammunition against the Conservatives. Sir Keith Holyoake admitted yesterday that he would probe Mr Wilson’s intentions over the market. The New Zealand Prime Minister has been one of the few Commonwealth leaders to say that E.E.C. membership could have long-term advantages. But on the other hand he has made it quite clear that New Zealand would require substantial and meaningful safeguards as a condition of British entry. Mr Wilson might be extremely interested in a very precise definition of those safeguards, and a private estimation of how well Sir Keith Holyoake is satisfied that they will be forthcoming on the day of reckoning in Brussels. Mr Kirk, since his arrival

four days ago, has been careful not to align himself with the anti-marketeers, but has made it no secret that he has been surprised by the depth of anti-market sentiment among the public.

This is information he is certain to pass on to Mr Wilson, who, if he has been reading the public polls, will not be unduly surprised. The Trades Union Congress wavered on the edge of an

nual meeting last year, and it is unlikely that the “Europeans” in the movement will be able to stem the tide this autumn. Mr Wilson would disregard such a political straw in the wind at his own

peril. Sir Keith Holyoake has two

Government calls today, on the Minister of Trade (Mr John Davies) and the Foreign Secretary (Sir Alec DouglasHome). In addition, he will address a luncheon of the Foreign Press Association and the Diplomatic and Com-

monwealth Writers’ Association. Mr Kirk, in addition to his meeting with Mr Wilson, will have lunch with Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr Anthonv Rovlel.