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COMMON EALTH AND IRISH REACTIONS TO
THE PRIME MINISTER'S STATEMENT OF 10 NOVEMBER
The following is a summary of the replies received to
a circular telegram to our posts in Commonwealth countries
and the Irish Republic asking for reports of local reactions
to the Prime Minister's announcement in the House of Commons
on 10 November that the Government had decided to make a new
high-level approach to establish whether conditions existed
for fruitful negotiations for British entry into the E.E.C.
The extent of Ministerial, official and press reactions
has varied considerably from country to country.
general, Commonwealth countries have not been greatly
surprised by the Prime Minister's statement and most of
them seem to regard eventual British membership of the
Community as inevitable.
20
Developed Commonwealth
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But, in
3. In Australia, great interest has been shown in the
Prime Minister's statement and the press has reported widely
on its implications for both the Australian and the world
economy. In general, press and public reaction has been
mild and even sympathetic. The most favourable report stated
that British entry into the Community would be "good for
Europe, good for Britain, and good for us The Minister of
Trade, however, has said that there is a danger that Australia
will be left out of the world trading blocs. Commercial
circles have accepted the Prime Minister's statement
realistically, pointing out that Britain's importance to
Australia as supplier and customer is in any case on the
wane. The statement may have been taken by some as a
/justification.
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