ABSTRACT
New Zealand's dependence on the British market was great; but it was not, as it had been not so long ago, almost total. The problem of New Zealand in the negotiations was one of the most simple. The Government of New Zealand played a much larger part in the negotiations than any other third Government. The New Zealand Government were able to exploit the weakness of their political position, they had a tiny majority in Parliament and seemed scarcely likely to survive the next election and the hostility of their Labour Opposition. A certain scepticism of the validity of the extreme New Zealand case in no way diminished the efforts which all concerned on the British side, officials included, made to get the best possible settlement for New Zealand. The New Zealand case was regarded as politically crucial. Nevertheless, though we may have mixed feelings, the New Zealanders deserve nothing but admiration for the way they manoeuvred towards their success.
