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15
Friday, October 9, 1970
"I am not suggesting those figures give any causo for complacency,
especially when one considers that in simplo money torms, our cxports to
Britain this year are running at about three times the 1961 rate," Mr. Cator
said.
"But I think they do show a reduced vulnerability as far as tho
United Kingdom markot is concerned, and a proven ability to clear the FEC
common commercial tariff, givon reasonably fair trading conditions.
As regards the United Nations Conforance on Trade and Development
(UNCTAD), Hong Kong was not entitled to momborship, being a depondency, but
tho Colony was represented by, and usually within, the British delegation.
The Government "firmly and sincerely" bolioved Hong Kong should
bo included by all major trading nations or grading blocks within the UNCT AD
generalised proference schomo, and if this wore accepted, the impact of the
common external tariff in the onlargod EEC would be further softened to some
dogrco.
Thump The Table
In a reference to a suggestion that Hong Kong should fight its own
battles in those negotiations, and "thump the tablo" if need be, Mr. Cator
said the aroma of commercial diplomacy was rarely marked by sudden drama.
"It is a mattor of contact, assessment, reporting, persuasion and
nogotiation. Problems are saldom aboluto and situations are always changing,'
ho commented.
Hong Kong was involved in a regular and continuing dialogue with
Whitehall on the issue, and whatever the outcome of the negotiations, any
advorso consequences would cortainly not be because the Colony had not mado
itsolf heard.
/He said
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