Auuuuglanson Atame
Vol. XXI – No. 271
Saturday, September 12, 1970
No British
assurance to HK on Market bid
BRITAIN cannot give Hongkong any guarantees on the colony's trading position if Britain enters the European Common Market.
But whatever happened to Britain's entry bid, it will noriously affect our economy.
Britain's chief Market negotiator, Mr Geoffrey Rippon, said für:
arrival at Hongkong.
He said he felt that this time Britain could be successful in its attempt to become an EEC member.
He predicted most of the negotiations should be
complete "by the middle of next year."
Mr Rippon is in Hongkong for three days for talks with local Government representatives on the likely effect on Hongkong of Britain's entry to the Common Market. "Hongkong has demonstrated since the War remarkable resilience," said Mr Rippon at a Press immediately after he arrived yesterday
conference
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afternoon.
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"It is one of the great success stories of the five world, Therefore, whatever happens, if Britain goes in or out of the market, Hongkong is going to remam a very strong economy and will find ways to expand exports and secure its trade."
Mr Rippon said, however, he believed an enlarged | Common Market would be to Hongkong's advantage.
Speaking about Britain's proposed entry to the market, Mr Rippon said: "What I am concerned with is that we create a European Community with greater prospects and stability, a community which is outward-looking and which will create trading opportunities for all, including Hongkong."
Hongkong was now selling about 12 per cent of its exports to Britain, Mr Rippon said. But it already had considerable access to the market countries who took just under 10 per cent of Hongkong's exports.
Asked what guarantees Britain could give longkong about its trading future if Britain entered the EEC, Mr Rippon said: "In or out of the Common Market, nobody can give anybody guarantees in world trade.
"What concerns Hongkong is not just changes that may result if Britain entered the Common Market, but the changes going on in world trade all the time."
This was a matter of the whole pattern of world trade agreements.
Mr Rippon said there would, however, be some problems for places like Hongkong if Britain did enter the Common Market.
There would be ball long and short term effect, he
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On his arrival at Kailak yesterda (right) is met by Hongkong's Financial John Cowperthwaite. – Standard picture
Union loader
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HONGKONG's best known labour leader has been strip all power in the trade unic. moven.“at in . sem ational, drvca des Union i all for we Council, governing body of | capacity all rightwing unions, in Labour Advij surprise
this week wiped out the vital post which for 20 years had given Mr Fung Hoi-chiu а controlling voice in union affairs.
MR FUNG Hoi-chin
vote
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"It was a revolt of the rank and file, said one union leader who asked not to be named. “Now Mr Fung is just another member of the executive committee.
"
Mr Fung, reluctant to talk of hiv downfall, said last night: *** am not at alt surpræed.”
He said he was aware of the growing pressure put on him by dissenters in the TUC hierarchy. He said he would continue to
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