Nordmeyer—Against

When asked to comment on the situation, Mr A. H. Nordmeyer, speaking for the Labour party, said: "We believe that it is not in Britain's interests, nor in the Commonwealths, for Britain to join the EEC He said that the preponderanee of the British Labour Party was against EEC entry. There were a few who thought entry might assure her best interests, but the British Labour Party would be unanimously against it unless the Commonwealth was protected.

One reason for this was "political implications which would tie her to Europe in a way likely to loosen considerably Commonwealth ties." Mr Nordmeyer said that economic advantages of entry "appear to be much exaggerated while the disadvantages and dangers are minimised."

Speaking of the effects on N.Z. employment, Mr Nordmeyer said: "on information so far available . . . not only the workers in the industries are most vitally affected, but also those who depend for livelihood on securing adequate supplies of raw materials, if N.Z. earning power is diminished. Even Professor Simkin, who is optimistic, concedes that thirty million pounds worth of produce could be affected." Mr Nordmeyer said that such a drop could have "disastrous" effects.

He thought that U.S. would be an alternate market for lamb, and Japan and possibly South East Asia for mutton. There would have to be diversification of dairy products. Milk powder could be sold in South East Asia, which he believed could take increasing quantities even if payment were deferred.