London rally against British entry plan

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32626, 7 June 1971, Page 11

London rally against British entry plan

(N.Z.P. A.-Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, June 6.

Parliamentarians and trade unionists led about 3000 opponents of Britain’s entry to the Common Market in a huge rally in the Central Hall, London, yesterday.

The audience afterwards marched to No. 10 Downing Street to hand in a protest note. At their head was the former Labour Party President of the Board of Trade, Mr Douglas Jay.

The note expressed “the deeply-felt opposition of millions of British electors to the proposal without the clear assent of the electorate.”

The rally organisers, the Common Market Safeguards Campaign, declared that the Conservative Government had no, mandate to take Britain into the Market. They also said more than 300,000 people so far had signed a petition, intended for the Queen, calling for a referendum.

The Government has repeatedly ruled out the idea of a referendum, holding firmly to the view that Parliament must decide the issue once the entry terms are fully known and have been adequately discussed. Growers protest

Among the last to arrive at the protest meeting were fruit growers carrying placards suggesting that Common Market membership would ruin them.

One grower; with a rope dangling around his neck, shouted out to the crowd: “Help! Help! They’re hanging the British fruitgrower.” A Labour member of Parliament, Mr Michael Foot, told the rally that the future of Britain—and of Commonwealth nations who had co-

operated with Britain over the years and helped her in two world wars—was at stake.

Mr Foot added that promises were being given during the negotiations, but it was not known what would happen in four or five years time.

The fishermen’s leader, Mr Ernest Hanley, complained that the Market’s fisheries policy could seriously affect 100,000 Britons dependant on the fishing industry; described the prospects as "quite alarming.” The president of the Boilermakers’ Society, Mr Daniel McGarvey, was greeted with loud cheers when he declared that the British people were being "conned by promarketeers.”

Praise for N.Z. The restraint New Zealand has displayed in presenting its case for a special arrangement if Britain enters the Common Market has been cited by Lord Auckland in London as the main reason for the support its case has evoked in both Houses of the British Parliament. “New Zealand has shown complete restraint and there has been absolutely no militancy,” said Lord Auckland, who is an under-writing member of Lloyd’s, and a vice-president of the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents. He was in New Zealand recently for Auckland’s centennial celebrations.

“The views placed before the British people have been entirely reasoned, and, in return, I think we feel the least

we can do is hold out for a reasonable settlement.” A Conservative member of the House of Lords, Lord Auckland said that he would be very surprised if there were any committed vote on British entry before the summer recess of Parliament.

“My impression is that members in both Houses, even those in favour of entry, are not in the mood to be rushed,” he said. “There is still an enormous amount of detailed discussion which must go on before any decisions are made.”

‘Not selfish’

Lord Auckland disputed statements that New Zealand was being selfish in looking out for its own interests in seeking a special arrangement.

“I think the one thing which stands out is that New Zealand’s presentation of its case has been completely devoid of any self-centred interest,” he said. “New Zealand has, in fact, leant backwards to see the British point of view and has always said that Britain must follow the course which is in its best national interest.” Lord Auckland said the fact that New Zealand had made no threats aboutl ;taliatory trade action in the event of Britain joininp the Common Market had influenced many M.P.s to be sympathetic towards New Zealand interests.

Lord Auckland said that his visit to New Zealand had made him realise what s clear cut case New Zealand had for safeguards.

‘Complete trust’

“I found complete trust in the British Government among New Zealanders," he said. “I think businessmen there (in New Zealand) feel that Britain will go into the market but they are hopeful that there will be reasonable assurances on trade during a transitional period.” In Britain itself, Lord Auck land said he felt the main worry about the Common Market among voters was that the cost of living would rise sharply. They knew there would be a sizeable rise, inside or outside the Common Market, he said, but felt membership could accelerate the trend.