British pledge to battle for N.Z.

Press, 15 June 1978, Page 6

British pledge to battle for N.Z.

NZPA-Reuter London Britain has pledged that it will stand up for New Zealand in the European Economic Community. Officials said the underaking was given by the Foreign Secretary (Mr David ''wen) during a one-hour meeting in London with New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Taiboys). New Zealand's fears that new E.E.C. regulations will damage its lamb exports was the main topic. Dr Owen said Britain would insist on coMteuing satisfactory acceta for New Zealand lamb, th* officials said The former British Prime Minister Sir Harold Wilson, has criticised the E.E.C. for not keeping its promises toi New Zealand on food im-| forts. In an interview with the NZPA, Sir Harold accused) tha nine EEC members of a “degree of recidivism"' * nee the 1975 Community ■summit meeting in Dublin. But in a separate con. er-

j sation with New Zealand [officials Sir Harold is be-j ilieved to have said: “We’ve; I ratted on you.” Sir Harold met the Deputy . Prime Minister (Mr Taiboys) i : by chance at Heathrow Air- ! port. Mr Taiboys was 'bound for Paris and Sir 1 Harold for a b- nking conference in Madrid. ! The two exchanged a few : words while waiting on their < flights, and later Sir Harold, Itold the NZPA that since his • ' retirement in 1976 he had not! ' wanted to comment on other I I people’s negotiations. "I think there has been a I falling away by the E.E.C. from its Dublin position,” he added In March. 1975. the E.E.C. heads of Government drew I up their “Dublin declaration” i—a written commitment by the E.E.C. to New Zealand on dairv products. A referendum Sir Harold called in 1975 gave a re-! sounding two-to-one vote for E.E.C. membership, but he said a different result was! likely now. “I think there has been a

big swing against the E.E.C. j since the referendum, chiefly because of food prices, and of course New Zealand is a I major factor in that,” he (said. The Minister who is the chief target of British housewives’ complaints about the prospect of dearer New Zealand lamb will see where the ilamb comes from later this I year. The Secretary of State for (Prices and Consumer Protection (Mr Roy Hattersley) has (accepted a New Zealand Government invitation to tour the country. Mr Taiboys said firm date for Mr Hattersley’s trip had been fixed. Mr Taiboys is in Paris for a meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. He will also visit several other E.E.C. countries, returning to London on July 4 for further talks. The two-day meeting was an important part of the Western world’s efforts to stabilise economies, Mr Taiboys said.