The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1962-11-30
ECM Forces New

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While not all of the seven points
have been achieved, the program
is way ahead of schedule, Leonard
pointed out. Tariffs have been cut
in half, mobility of workers has
greatly increased, and political
thinking is now looking forward to
United States of Europe.
LARGER MARKET,
LOWER COSTS
Illustrating how ECM improves the
competitive ability of the industries
of member nations, the MSU econo-
mist said manufacturers have great
ly increased their annual volume,
whether home appliances, farm equip
ment, automobiles and trucks. etc.,
because of the much larger market
now available within the market area.
Thus far the ECM has been so
successful in improving it's industrial
climate and the living standards of
the people in the six countries that
other countries, notably England,
want to become full-fledged men,
bers.
Higher living standards are also
bringing changes in eating habits
:. changes which do not bode we'll
for Western Europe being the market
for wheat that it formerly was. Peo-
pies diets, because of higher real
wages, are becoming more varied.
They are eating less bread, but more
meat, more of other foods which were
formerly priced beyond their reach.
The prospects for American-pro-
duced feed grains are less gloomy be-
cause of the increased n emphasis
France is putting on red meat pro-
duction. A much larger livestock pro-
duction. may not affect the U. S. so
much. but, if it exceeds the growing
demand, can adversely affect coun-
tries such as Argentina, New Zealand
and Australia which have tradition
ally exported considerable red meat
10 Western Europe.
American cotton, in DR.. Leonard's |
has the best prospects of
an increased market in the ECM ma
ions. No cotton is grown in those
and as income levels of
he people improve the demand is for
more cotton products.
Referring back to the new trade
legislation passed by the S7th Con-
gress, Leonard said that the ECM
countries are not looking at world
trade from an altruistic viewpoint;
that, unless they can negotiate fa-
vorable reciprocal arrangements,
they will discriminate against ma
tions which are reluctant to lower
trade bars.
I'm connection with the above,
ecretary of Agriculture Orville L.
'reeman last week gave a friendly
rarning to the ECM countries over
heir shutting off imports of. grain
nd poultry from the United States, /,
nd reminded them that the, Presi- I,
emit may take retalitory action, if
ecessary, against countries placing
restrictions on Ameri-
an farm exports. The new u. S.
,ade act provides the President with
1ch authority. See FIREMAN
YARNS -, page ~
MEXICAN INVESTMENTS
BROAD
Another factor aiding the ECM
,untries, and at the same time slow
g ., industrial production in this
'untry, is the. vast investment in
plants in Western
lrope by American corporations.
This investment, plus rapidly-in- b
easing Western European invest a
emit in new plant, not only is re- tt
ricting our export market in those n
untries but is also enabling ECM a
to cut deeply into p
nth American trade channels, an e.
ca traditionally major American ts
port market. CT
The future holds a distinct posi- IL
come tax of $50, or about SIG
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