Unity on E.E.C. stance

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33787, 8 March 1975, Page 2

Unity on E.E.C. stance

(Prom

CHARLES COOPER,

London correspondent of “The Press.'.')

LONDON, March 6.

The Leader of the Opposition (Mr Muldoon) has made quite clear in London his attitude to New Zealand’s campaign for a better deal for its dairy products from the European Economic Community.

His stance was in accord with that of the Prime Minister (Mr Rowling), who spelled out New Zealand’s aspirations to the British and other Community Governments during his recent: European tour. ’ Mr Muldoon said that the; country’s vital economic:

interests were at stake and that the New Zealand Government and the Opposition National Party were as one in seeking the maintenance of continued access for dairy products.

"Inflation has made a mockery of present prices, which are tied to the 196972 average returns,” said Mr Muldoon. “New Zealand must have a better deal for dairy products coming on to the British Market under E.E.C. rules.” Mr Muldoon said that although New Zealand had been given an 18 per cent rise for these products recently, there needed to be S.-tne mechanism for providing for regular price reviews.

New Zealand had made strenuous and successful

efforts to diversify its products and markets under successive Governments. But there really was no alternative to the United Kingdom market for dairy products in the quantities that New Zealand produced.

Mr Muldoon is on a 10day visit to Britain, after being in Brussels this week while meetings of both the Foreign and Agricultural Ministers of the Community were taking place. Today he called on Mrs Margaret Thatcher, the Opposition Conservative Party leader, and the shadow Foreign Secretary, Mr Reginald Maudling. He also had talks with the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Fred Peart) and the chairman of the Conservative Party (Lord Thorneycroft).