U.K. Govt, Advises Slow Progress To European Unity

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23028, 19 August 1949, Page 5

U.K. Govt, Advises Slow Progress To European Unity

(N.Z.P.A. —Reuter—Copyright.) PARIS, Aug. 17,

The British Deputy Prime Minister, Mr, Herbert Morrison, speakins during the resumed debate in the European Assembly on changes in the European political structure, said it was essential that the assembly pay due regard to the interests of individual member countries.

He added that as far as Britain was concerned it was essential that she maintain the ties which linked her with the Commonwealth of Nations and maintained the responsibilities she shared with Belgium, France and the Netherlands for the welfare of the peoples of other continents, particularly Africa.

Mr. Morrison said that progress towards a united Europe could be made only slowly and cautiously, not by emotional and reckless jumps. Mr. Morrison added that the diversity of European . peoples represented problems for those who wanted to unite Europe. Unity could be only achieved by painstaking efforts to adjust national differences. “We shall get nowhere if we expect of national electorates excessive and unreasonable sacrifices which they should not be asked to make.” Adjustment to Trade Pattern. They needed greater European unity because they shared the same major economic problems nnd because they could only solve them together. They had to adjust themselves to the pattern of world trade which had permanently changed and which had changed to Europe’s disadvantage. The main political problem was to obtain security against totalitarian encroachments. No proposals for European unity could be realistic unless they passed the test of relevance to those urgent issues. Mr. Morrison said the national diversity was a reality which could not be cast on one side. Progress could only come if it was based on the free consent of responsible Parliaments and Governments of democratic peoples. Constructive evolution, which need not and should not lack boldness, was the quickest and surest means of progress. There could be no question of coercing free peoples and democratic Parliaments into schemes to which thev were opposed.

Mr. Morrison said: "If we are cooperative in a genuinely united effort, to realise our goal and if we proceed by methods which will command the support and not the antagonism of individual Governments and Parliaments, then this historic venture in European co-operation and planning will succeed.” Challenge to Conservatives He challenged the British Conservatives to take their case to the British electorate if they thought the Government was moving too hesitantly. Mr. Morrison, who did not mention the problem of admitting Germany to the council, supported a motion sponsored by the British Labour Party representatives calling for a commission to study closer European political union.

Mr. Harold Macmillan, the British Conservative_ representative, told the assembly: "Either we swim together in the next few years, or perhaps months, or we sink together.”

_ITe suggested a programme of immediate objectives to be achieved before next year. These included the adoption of a convention on human rights and the creation of an international body to enforce it.

He urged that the Consultative Assembly should have two meetings annually and establish a standing committee which could work between sessions.