'Too much sentiment’ in E.E.C. approach

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32604, 12 May 1971, Page 1

'Too much sentiment’ in E.E.C. approach

LYew Zealand Press Association > HAMILTON. May 11.

A noted agriculturist. Dr C. P. McMeekan, formerly director of the Ruakura research station, believes that New Zealand is relying too much on sentiment in her approach to Britain on the Common Market.

Dr McMeekan, who has just returned from overseas, today answered several questions about the E.E.C. talks. Is New Zealand relying too much on sentiment? Dr McMeekan: “Yes. My reasons for this opinion are that the United Kingdom is considering joining the Common Market for business reasons, and there is no place ‘ for sentiment in business. The present generation of young and middle-aged people in Britain has no sentiment whatever for New Zealand. “I have spent most of the last two years on World Bank business in England, France, Italy, Ireland and Spain. Three of these countries are trying to join the Common Market and Spain and Ireland have already made arrangements with the Market. I’ve been shopping around quite a bit with the people in Brussels, and know how they arc thinking." Do you think Britain would go into the E.E.C. without adequate safeguards for New Zealand? “In my personal view, yes, but my answer depends on what you would call adequate safeguards. Safeguards that would be acceptable to the British Government might not suit the New Zealand primary producer.” What are New Zealand’s prospects without adequate safeguards? “Pretty poor. New Zealand will have to keep on fighting and not neglect building alternative markets with the hope of getting bigger quotas when these are unposed by the United King-

i dom. It seems to me that we , have not been taking advantI age of the United States lamb 1 market potential because of : the argument that the maximum amount should be sent to the United Kingdom to l back up our case that that market is indispensable to us ' and to substantiate a large s parcel of lambs when con- • ttols are imposed.” - Should we send a big - team to Britain to tell the > British public how food prices • will go up if they join the ' Common Market? 1 “There is no need to. The ’ people there are quite aware of the prices ruling in the E.E.C., and they know quite ! well that their own prices ; must follow suit.” What do you think about butter ‘prospects? “I’m surprised that New Zealanders were surprised when the so-called ’butter berg' disappeared. Western Europe has been suffering a severe drought for the last 12 months and this is all that is in it. ft is merely a repeat of the 1958 situation. Spain has had its worst drought for 100 years and has been import- ■ ing butter from France. However, this position cannot last and butter surpluses could build up again very quickly.”