Envoy’s high hopes for N.Z. trade

Press, 23 April 1979, Page 14

Envoy’s high hopes for N.Z. trade

NZPA London A successful end to New Zealand's trade battles with the European Economic Community may be only a few years away, according to the retiring High Commissioner in Britain (Sir Douglas Carter). “We have another painful two or three years while we continue to fight a rearguard action,” Sir Douglas said, ‘‘but after that trade could settle down to our advantage.” Sir Douglas, who will be succeeded as High Commissioner and Ambassador to Ireland by a former Parliamentary colleague. Mr L. W. Gandar, in mid-year, said that the change could be caused by Europeans’ becoming increasingly tired of haying to pay high food prices, propped up by the E.E.C.’.s Common Agricultural Policy (C.A.P.). “There is also a growing realisation here that trade is a two-way thing,” Sir Douglas said. ‘‘l don’t think we will ever be shut out of this market completely. We may have another two or three painful years, but that will be all.

“As the most efficient producers in the world of dairy products and of sheepmeat, I am sure that when trade does settle down we will pick up some of what we have already lost,” he said.

The C.A.P. — the cornerstone and principal money-user of the Common Market — would have to be reformed to achieve an altered trading pattern, and both the Labour and Conservative parties had reformation as important planks in their election platforms. Sir Douglas said that the British Labour Government’s Minister of Agriculture (Mr Silkin)

had never let New Zealand down in negotiations at Brussels, and his predecessor, Mr Fred Peart, now a life peer, had been a great friend of New Zealand. “The Conservatives are an unknown quantity.” Sir Douglas said, "but I would expect little if any difference in their support for New Zealand at Brussels.” The outcome of the General Election on May 3 may decide when Mr Gandar arrives and when Sir Douglas retires, either to Hamilton or to Auckland. If the Coservative.s win Mr Gandar might arrive in June, when Sir Douglas’s three years are up, but if Labour regains power, thus maintaining the .status quo in relations

with Europe. Mr Gandar may not arrive until late in July. Sir'Douglas, who, as the senior man in the senior European post, leads New Zealand’s efforts in the E.E.C., sees the French, the Dutch, and the Irish as New Zealand’s sternest opponents. “The French are very dogmatic about things,” he said. “The Dutch want our dairy markets, and the Irish are very, very difficult. “The Irish farmers are making so much money they don’t know what to do with it,” he said. “Mind you, if I was in their position and someone got in my way I would use my elbows, too.” Sir Douglas saw little purpose in New Zealand’s taking a more aggressive line in Europe. “You have to take into account the nature of New Zealanders,” he said. “I would rather be accepted as being less aggressive than be accused of being overaggressive. You don’t hit your friends too hard and Britain remains our friend. No other country in the world has the sympathy and good will in Britain that we have.”