Evening star., 1962-09-17
MINISTERS
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African countries as possible
to accept trading links with
the continental hfoc.
"Our position is absolutely
decided and we do not. want
associate membership Of the
European Economic Commu-
nity." Mr.. HAVANA said.
Canadian Prime Minister
John Diefenbaker told Mr..
Macmillan bluntly Britain's ef-
forts in the Common Market
negotiations do not satisfy the
commemorative needs.
"It Is now apparent" he
said. "that there is an almost
unanimous desire among the
Commonwealth Prime Minis
ters for something which will
give greater assurance of ex-
panding trade than the result
to date the negotiations in
Brussels now provide"
World Conference Urged
He called for the Common
wealth to take the lead in call
ing q world trade conference
with Canada as the host
country.
This parley, he said. should
bring together the six Common
Market countries, the seven
European Free Trade Associa-
ton nations, the United States,
Japan and all other like
minded countries.
Its aim'woHld be to cut tariffs
throughout the world on q nom
discriminatory basis, he said.
Mr.. Diefenbaker said better
safeguards for Commonwealth
trade are needed to fulfill Mr..
Macmillan's public pledges to
protect the, interests Of his
partners.
The Canadian leader stressed,
however, the decision on joining |
or not joining still remains with
Britain alone.
On that question Canada is
not taking a position for or
against at this time.
Improvements Sought
He urged specifically that the
British try to win improve
ments of the accords already
Professionally negotiated in Brus-
sells.
The British have made it
plain they are not prepared to
do this because they think they
won't get anywhere. The agree
ments he specified relate to
Common Market tariffs on
manufactured goods which
Canada wants to export in
quantity to Europe.
On this point Mr.. Diefen-
baker, pulling no punches, said:
"In several fields, notably the
tariffs to apply on raw mate
rails, processed foods and other
products, little has yet been
agreed and there seems clear
scope for negotiations more
favorable to Commonwealth
interests than those that have
taken place"
Mr.. Diefenbaker also said
Canada is ready to take part
In another Commonwealth
prime ministers conference to
review the final position.
Opposes New Talks
The British have been resist
ing this. Mr.. Macmillan does
not want to face again the sort
of lineup that confronted him
during the last week.
A mood OF tension and some
bitterness hung over the plen-
airy session today.
There were angry mutter-
ings behind the scenes by the
Canadians and British-whoSe
relations lately have nose
dived.
Canadian delegates claim the
British are spreading stories
baker is the one man holding
I'D general Commonwealth
acquiescence Of Britain's entry.
For their part, the British
have not been discouraging
newsmen from suggesting Mr.
Diefenbaker's attacks on Brit
ish policy were unexpected and
harmful.
Foreign Minister Howard
Green of Canada told report
ers:
"Therehas been an obvious
attempt in the British press
I don't know who is behind it
to isolate Canada and drive q
wedge between her and the
other members Of the Common
wealth."