TNAG-0281-FCO40-317-Visit-of-the-Chancellor-of-the-Duchy-of-Lancaster-to-Hong-Ko-1970 — Page 39

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Institutional arrangements with the EEC

5. Mr. Rippon said it was as easy for New Zealand to buy from Britain as from Japan or anywhere else. Had New Zealand Ministers arrived at any views about institutional arrangements which New Zealand might have with the enlarged Community as distinct from transitional arrangements?

6. Mr. Marshall replied that the Government had taken no public stand on this as yet. Association with an enlarged Community would be difficult from the Community's point of view. The countries associated with the EEC were mostly not too distant from Europe, but New Zealand at the other end of the world would create an awkward precedent for them. As far as New Zealand itself was concerned, the problem seemed insurmountable owing to its trade which was increasingly directed towards Australia and the Pacific region. He thought that the best approach would be to try for a Morocco-type protocol at the time of British entry to be followed by a trade agreement with the enlarged Community. The Prime Minister interjected: Don't be so realistic.

Visits from influential Europeans

7. Mr. Rippon said that this was a political decision to be taken by New Zealand. He would be glad to discuss it with Mr. Marshall. The Six realised that the problem of New Zealand fell into a category of its own and justified special measures. The Prime Minister said that Dr. Mansholt in his visit to New Zealand last year had said that he was "ashamed" of what Europe was doing to New Zealand. He had not felt the same way about Australia. The New Zealand Government was inviting other prominent Europeans to visit the country. He mentioned MM. Fayat and de Koster, who had already been, and MM. Moro and Deniau who had been invited. Mr. Rippon agreed that such visits from influential Europeans were helpful. Some important journalists might also be invited. Mr. Marshall said this was already planned. The Prime Minister referred to the demand initiated by the Leader of the Opposition to campaign publicly in the United Kingdom against Britain's entry and the action which his Government had taken to stamp on this idea.

British public opinion

8. In answer to a question, Mr. Rippon said that British public opinion was somewhat soured by the rejection of previous attempts to join the Community and was naturally hesitant about success on this occasion. There was also public concern over the prospects for British industry, agriculture and the consumer now that the issues had become real rather than theoretical. Such feelings were natural but their importance should not be exaggerated. Parliament was overwhelmingly in favour and public opinion was in favour of negotiating.

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