TNAG-0281-FCO40-317-Visit-of-the-Chancellor-of-the-Duchy-of-Lancaster-to-Hong-Ko-1970 — Page 33

CONFIDENTIAL

29

record of the Communities in terms of trade and aid with the developing world has also been impressive. Recently, so far as aid is concerned, some of them have been able to give more generously than Britain, which suggests another reason why Britain should join the Communities if possible.

Britain's future

Australia has shown Britain that she can seize opportunities and adapt to circumstances yet remain true to her essential nature. I do not believe that you would wish Britain to show any less capacity for survival and development. I think that many of you agree with me that the right framework for our development is the enlarged European Communities. In Britain it means a great deal to the Government and the people that you should appreciate fully our position and our intentions. We are glad that you have shown such a sympathetic understanding of our policies.

It is important to us that Britain should go forward with her plans to enter Europe with the knowledge that we have the support and understanding of Australia. I repeat that for our part we shall consult closely with your Government and treat very seriously the problems that might arise for Australia if we entered Europe. We shall not and cannot join the Communities if we do not get fair terms-but we cannot elect to stay outside. If we are unable to join the European Communities because we cannot negotiate our way through the initial difficulties we will all be the losers-Britain, the rest of Europe and the whole free world.

Document No. 16

ASSESSMENT MADE BY HE SIR CHARLES JOHNSTON, THE BRITISH HIGH COMMISSIONER IN CANBERRA, OF THE VISIT OF THE RIGHT HON. GEOFFREY RIPPON, QC, MP, CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER, TO AUSTRALIA, 15–17 SEPTEMBER, 1970

Mr. Rippon visited Australia, 15-17 September. Apart from a dinner given by the Department of Trade and Industry for him to meet representatives of agriculture, industry and finance in Sydney, the whole of his time was spent in Canberra. In discussions with Ministers he made it plain on repeated occasions that, while Britain had every sympathy with Australia and would do her best to reperesent Australian interests, the only concession which could in practice be expected was on the transitional period which we should try to make as long as possible. He was for the most part well received and it was apparent that there has been a fundamental change in Australian opinion since 1961. Now, while they are still worried about the impact on individual agricultural sectors, most of the emotion has gone out of the issue. There is much greater self-confidence about Australia's future and a general recognition that if we can get reasonable terms for ourselves we must go in. Nevertheless it seems likely that Mr. McEwen will continue his efforts to secure support for an attack in the GATT on the application of the existing common agricultural policy in an enlarged Community.

Pessimism of Mr. McEwen and Mr. Anthony

2. The main substantive discussion was with Mr. McEwen and Mr. Anthony, Minister for Primary Industry. Throughout the discussion Mr. McEwen was in a somewhat dour and petulant mood. He said that he had found, in contrast to 1961,

CONFIDENTIAL