European economic integration and its effects on Australia

Abstract

This thesis was started at a time when British negotiations for a free trade area had broken down and it was not at all clear that Britain was likely to go into Europe. When the thesis was substantially finished it became likely that Britain would make an early move into the Community and it was therefore considered advisable to delay completion until this move had been accomplished and the nature of the safeguards for Australian trade were known. Although this move has still not been made, published reports make it apparent that the Six regard any maintenance of preferences or arrangements of a preferential nature between Britain and Australia as being contrary to the Rome Treaty. In these circumstances it is apparent that no special safeguards for Australian trade can be anticipated. Although there has been some suggestion that global commodity agreements will be worked out it is apparent that it will not be for a considerable time that the terms of any such agreement will be finalised and even then their precise benefit to Australia will have to be determined in practice. Show more