SIR - D Church (Letters, October 24) states: "If we had not joined the EU in the first place, we would still be enjoying very lucrative trading with the world in general and with special arrangements with our Commonwealth countries".

The fact is that in the days of the Empire, many countries had no alternative but to trade with us. Now that they have achieved independence, they have naturally developed trading patterns that most suit them, which is only right.

Even Australia now has considerable trade with Japan and other Asian and Pacific countries, while Canada has great trade with USA.

Geography is an obvious factor as regards to trade. The old Imperial system was all right once, but is now obsolete.

D E MARGRETT,

Worcester.