U.K. AND E.E.C.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29511, 12 May 1961, Page 18

U.K. AND E.E.C.

Effect Of Joining (NJt. Press Association) HAWERA, May 11.

The New Zealand farmer industry, would suffer the most disastrous blow in the whole of its history if the United Kingdom joined the European Economic Community on the basis of the present "common agricultural policy,” Mr C. W. Bumard, the director of the New Zealand Dairy Board's information and publicity service said in Hawera last evening. But, he said, it was inconceivable to him, in spite of growing, opinion in informed circles, that Britain would “toss aside” Commonwealth considerations to enter the E.E.C. on the present basis. The official stand of the United Kingdom Government up to the present had been that it would do nothing to harm the Commonwealth position • and would not join E.E.C. if it meant accepting the present common agricultural policy. He was confident the United Kingdom would do everything possible to avoid entering the E.E.C. on the present terms and would endeavour to achieve a compromise solution.

After briefly outlining the efforts being made by the Dairy Products Marketing Commission to increase markets other than in Britain. Mr Bumard said: “All the effort in the world will not overcome the hard facts of life regarding our specialties. Only the more prosperous people of the world can afford to pay the price required for lamb and butter—even the New Zealand priee, which is the lowest in the world.”