NEW MARKETS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 169, 1 May 1935, Page 7

NEW MARKETS

THE CONTINENT OF EUROPE.

NEW ZEALAND COMMISSIONER.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 30.

The Hon. R. Masters (Minister of Industries and Commerce) announced to-day that Cabinet has approved the appointment of a New Zealand Trade Commissioner on the Continent of Europe. Though the location of the office has not been finally determined, it is at present proposed that the Trade Commissioner, when appointed, shall make his headquarters at Brussels.

This decision, the Minister said, represented a further step in the Government's policy of definitely proceeding to exploit the development of new markets. He was convinced that the vast population of industrial Europe must be regarded as one of New Zealand's natural markets. The central location of the new Commissioner’s office should enable him to keep in ’touch with such important buyers as Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, and perhaps, to a lesser extent, with Spain, Italy, Austria, Czechoslovakia and Northern European countries. It would be part of the duty of the Trade Commissioner to see that New Zealand exporters were kept fully informed and, wherever possible, assisted in overcoming the restrictive provisions of European trading and financial laws. The Commissioner would also act as New Zealand representative in the development of the tourist traffic. “The Government recognises that both for foodstuffs and raw materials the Continent, with its industrial enterprises and population, is one of our most important' present and potential markets, and it is with the object of making direct contacts with those markets that the new appointment is feeing made. I am confident, said the Minister, “that New Zealand and its products are very little known over large areas where markets for our goods could be found, and where greater knowledge of the range and quality of our products would make for the extension of our sales. New Zealand’s existing direct trade credited statistically to Continental European countries is not inconsiderable, but there is also a very substantial quantity of our produce which reaches the Continent in the form of re-exports from the United Kingdom. The quantity and .value of those re-exports cannot be determined accurately, but it is known that wool, fruit, hides, skins, tallow,/'and other New Zealand produce to the value of several millions sterling annually reaches the Continent through those channels.

Improved! Markets. “The Government feels that the Continent offers definite prospects oi improved 1 markets for our goods, ami that direct official representation, which allows for continuous exploration and personal contact with prospective importers, must, serve a very valuable purpose. While New Zealand already, has a trade agreement with Belgium which permits us to export certain lines to that country on a favourable basis, the extension of other commercial treaties with Continental countries will be greatly facilitated through the availability of a New Zealand trade representative m Europe. The need for such representation has also been increasingly evident in view of the difficulties constantly arising through the imposition and alteration of quota and exchange restrictions. “Even apart from the prospective extension of trade,” said the Minister, “it is certain that we run a grave risk of loss of the trade we already on the Continent if a representative in close touch with Continental Governments, is not available to state the views of the New Zealand Government when tariff, quota, and exchange questions arise. New Zealand firms at present exporting or desirous of exporting to European markets are experiencing the greatest difficulties in 1 ascertaining and meeting the changing requirements of the authorities controlling imports and it will he part of the duty, of the Trade Commissioner to see that iNew Zealand exporters are kept constantly and fully informed, and wherever possible, assisted in overcoming the restrictive provisions of European trading and financial laws.

Tourist Traffic. “The Cqftnmissioner will also act as New Zealand representative in the development of tourist traffic, and while no doubt in this matter difficulties must be faced in the matter of location and languages, English is a language fairly extensively used in Europe gy the better educated classes, and many such people travel abroad extensively. New Zealand already has a small traffic composed of Continental Europeans, and with a permanent tourist office situated in a central position in Europe, tourist traffic can no doubt be stimulated and increased.