E.E.C. talks Issue of moment’

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33786, 7 March 1975, Page 2

E.E.C. talks Issue of moment’

CVeu? Zealand Press .4 3 social um) AUCKLAND, March 6. “ The Prime Minister (Mr Rowling) arrived back in Auckland today from Europe happy with the ! results of a trip during which he found himself involved j in an “issue of moment.”

When first planned, he said, the visit was essentially political — a persona) reaffirmation of New Zealand's interest in Europe. But when the British Gov-, eminent decided to highlightNew Zealand's position in its! renegotiation of the Common ' Market agreement, the nature of the visit changed dramatically. “Our position became an I issue of moment.” Mr Rowl-! ing said. But he was pleased! at the willingness of the Common Market countries to: listen to the New Zealand: case. Mr Rowling said that the other Common Market countries resented the whole question of renegotiation.! “There was a tendency for them to be a little bit prickly about anvthing to do with it. Satisfied "But the reception both the Minister of Overseas Trade! (Mr Walding) and myself got j can only be described as good. Our position is well I understood." Mr Rowling said he could not say New Zealand hadi gained any commitments! from the Common Market countries as a result of his trip. “We have still got quite a few hurdles to jump, but the! ground work has been laid for' what will be very important descisions for New Zealand.”; Mr Rowling said the! Common Market question. dominated the trip, and he returned quite satisfied with the way in which Britain was; handling the matter. Mr Rowling said New Zea-i land was healthier economic-) ally than many European countries with a similar economic base. He said any suggestion by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Muldoon) that New Zealand’s international credit rating was slipping was “not particularly responsible, even if it was true.” Others worse In fact, said Mr Rowling, when specifically compared with Denmark and Ireland, two countries of a similar base, New Zealand was dealing much better with inflation and unemployment. “In Ireland over 100.000; people are unemployed, and! in Denmark 14 per cent of! the work force is unemployed,” he said.

Did he agree with Mr Muldoon that a tactical mistake

]had been made in going to! London before visiting the E.E.C. headquarters at Brus. seis? “No matter what you do ithere’ll always be those who sav it's the wrong thing

Britain’s got to put New Zealand’s case in a way that’s acceptable to other E.E.C. countries. I’ve no complaints I, to this stage in the way Britain is making the case,” ihe said.