TNAG-0045-FCO40-81-Britain-s-entry-into-EEC-effect-on-trade-with-Hong-Kong-1967 — Page 140

CONFIDENTIAL

BRIEF NO. G.1

EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY

PART I

Talking points for use with Ministers and Officials

NEW ZEALAND

But,

It now appears to be accepted by all members of the

Community that New Zealand is a special case for which special

arrangements would need to be made in the event of Britain

joining the Community. This should make our task easier.

although there are several theoretical solutions to the New

Zealand problem it is not easy to find the ideal one. I should

be very interested to hear your views

without, of course, any

sort of commitment cn either side at this stage.

Press reports of a Cabinet split on the timing of negotiations

about New Zealand

There have been reports in the British press, notably in

The Times, alleging that there is a split in the Government

over New Zealand. Some Ministers were said to believe that a

special agreement for New Zealand would be best pursued after

Britain had acceded to the Treaty of Rome. If it were decided

to apply for entry into the Community the form which

negotiations would take and just where the arrangements for

New Zealand would fit in would have to be settled in

9

consultation with the Six and the New Zealand Government.

But

you can rest assured that the Cabinet are unanimous on the need

to secure a satisfactory arrangement for New Zealand.

CONFIDENTIAL