EEC AND NZ-UK TRADE

Bill Ralston ( Life, February 2) gives the wrong impression when he says “London cavalierly cast us aside with scarcely a thought” when the UK entered the European Economic Community in 1973.

The protection of New Zealand interests was a key issue in British negotiations during two unsuccessful bids to join the EEC in 1961 and 1967, and again during the negotiations that led to British membership in 1973. New Zealand was often said to be “in the next room”.

For over a decade, the vital significance of access to the British market for New Zealand exports of butter. cheese and lamb had been at the forefront of our trade relationship with the UK; assurances were given that these interests would be protected by special arrangements if Britain became a member of the EEC.

The eventual outcome was the “Luxembourg agreement” of 1971 and protocol 18 to the 1972 Treaty of Accession, which provided access for butter and cheese and pricing arrangements. Sir Keith Holyoake commented that “the review formula represents a major concession to New Zealand and a result which is

highly satisfactory”.

Over the next decade, diversification of markets and products was the hallmark of New Zealand trade policy and dependence on the UK market has declined to the extent that exports to Britain – 35% in 1970 – are today less than 5% of the total. JR Martin (Wellington) “It is difficult,” Bill Ralston wrote, to summon up empathy for Brexit Britain. Only this week, the EU has given the green light for trade talks with New Zealand. Ralston should feel sad on Britain’s behalf, but not on New

Zealand’s account.

Rita Ricketts (Miramar, Wellington)