P* fm. ITe0 3, ' 10 2
PRI I MINIS3::. E' CO. Tl., E-JN CE
Statement by the Prime Minister, the t. Hon. Menzie.
The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, after
consulting all Commonwealth Prime Ministers, has convened a
meeting of Commonwealth Prime Ministers in London on
September to give further consideration to proposals which are
expected by that time to have been formulated concerning
Britain's application to join the Common Market.
This is clearly not an ideal date from the point of view
of Australia as the Budget Session will be in progress. But since
it suited a majority we felt that we could not maintain an
objection. I have no doubt that adequate Parliamentary
arrangements can be made for our effective representation. I
will discuss this with Mr. McEwen who has just completed a series
of important discussions in Britain and Europe and will, on his
return be reporting to the Gov-rnment on them.
The essential thing about the Prime Ministers'
Conference on the Common lMiarket is that it should not occur after
minds have been made up but should present the Prime Ministers
with an effective opportunity of influencing the ultimate
decision. We have, of course, been most accive in this matter and
will continue to be so in the period between now and September.
From the time the British entry into the Common Market was first
mooted, we have been seized with the need to secure an effective
voice for Australia in all the discussions involving our vital
trade interests. A special Committee of Cabinet has had
developments constantly under review and we have made rereatod
roprosentations to Britain and to the Six so that they might be
fully cognisant of the nature and extent of Australian interests,
and of our proposals for protecting those interests. At the
outset we asked Britain to seek rith the Six an opportunity for
us to state our case directly when matters of concern to us are
involved. Since the initial discussions were opened with Mr.
Duncan Sandys about a year ago this has been a main objective.
, Je have pursued it in our discussions with British Ministers,
through our Ambassadors in the countries concerned, in meetings
beteon officials, and in a whole series of formal exchanges
between Australia and the Governments of the Six and Britain.
Those efforts have been reinforced by the approaches which Mr.
McEwen has made during his rucent round of mootings in Europe.
One result of these continuous efforts, but l no means
the only one, is that an opportunity is to be afforded to
Australia on 26th April to present her case to the body of
senior officials of the Common Market countries and Britain in
Brussel. s the Deputies which has the responsibility, under
the Ministers, for detailed negotiations. As has boon announced,
the Australian case, covering all points of trade interest to us,
will be presented to this mooting by the Permanent Head of the
Commonwealth Department of Tradj, Dr. J. A. , Josterman. Dr.
. Jstorman will have available for consultation in London prior
to the Brussels moeting, advisers from a wide range of
Australian industries whose interests are most directly affect. d.
The work done at this mooting will be vigorously followed up.
We are well aware of the difficulties in the way, of
securing safeguards for Australian trade int,. rests which we
would regard as acceptabloBut at least we can hope that, as
a result of the efforts we have made, Australia's particular
problems are now btter understood and the roat and grave
importance of these matters to Australia better appreciated, by
Britain and the Six. 1. e shall continue to press our claims, and
to make our views known with the utmrost energy. But it must be
roem. er. d that no conclusions on the terms and conditions of
British entry to the Common Market can be arrived at without the
agreement of the Six nations. Our task is th3erefore both heavy
and challenging, and will continue to require constant Australian
advocacy. CAN3ELRA, 19th April, 1962.