The Press MONDAY APRIL 14, 1975. N.Z.’s voice in Britain's E.E.C. campaign

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33817, 14 April 1975, Page 16

The Press MONDAY APRIL 14, 19 75 . N.Z.’s voice in Britain's E.E.C. campaign

New Zealand’s trading interests will suffer a set-back, at least temporarily, if Britain now withdraws from the European Economic Community. This has not been spelled out plainly to the British electorate, now preparing to vote in the referendum on E.E.C. membership. Britain's withdrawal from the E.E.C. would probably be followed by a period of rancour between Britain and Europe which could do nothing but harm to New Zealand’s interests. New Zealand should not interfere with any matter that is wholly an internal matter for Britain; but the result of the referendum will affect New Zealand. During the British debate on entry to the E E C. before 1971 New Zealand was able to make known its case, and the manner in which its interests were concerned, to the British Government and people without appearing to overstep the bounds of diplomatic propriety That exercise might well be repeated now that Britain’s continued membership is in question. So far. New Zealand representatives and politicians in London, including the new High Commissioner (Mr Watt), have been careful to do no more than spell out what they see as New Zealand’s vital interests in relation to the E.E.C. Whether Britain remains a member of the E.E.C. might well be regarded in itself as vital to this country’, especially as New Zealand is now assured of reasonably satisfactory terms for its trade with the enlarged E.E.C. Britons who showed considerable sympathy for New Zealand four years ago should know how this country regards the E.E.C. now: that is nart of the information thev should fairly have when making up their minds how ■to vote in the referendum Other Commonwealth countries, inchiding Australia and some Caribbean States which have sn°ciel trading connections with Britain, might also mate known their present attitudes to the E.E.C. If New Zealand decides that officially it can do no more than defend its specific connections with the E.E.C.. th? help of the British Government should not be difficult to enlist to make this country’s more general attitude widelv known. Mr Wilson and his colleagues, whose political futures may well depend on a “ yes ” vote in the referendum should be ready to explain, as part of their campaign before the referendum, that one of the countries which stood to lose most from the British entry into the E.E.C., and the country whose plight was felt most keenly by Britons in 1971, has found the new arrangements tolerable and, given a fair deal in negotiations, even reassuring. From New Zealand, a Britain outside the EE C. no longer looks like an attractive and prosperous market for our produce, or even one of the best sources of manufactured imports. Either direct.lv through statement, bv New Zealand, or indirectly through a statement by Mr Wilson’s Government, the British voters should be told of this.