TOURIST LINK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 46, 23 February 1935, Page 7

TOURIST LINK.

NEW APPOINTMENT.

CLOSER CONTACT WITH U.S.A.

CABINET DECIDES TO ACT.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)'

WELLINGTON,, this day.

The announcement that the Government has decided to appoint a Trade and Tourist Commissioner, with headquarters and an office at either San Francisco or Los Angeles, Was made to-night by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr. Masters. The Minister said the need for this appointment had been increasingly evident, and had been investigated by him when he passed through America with the Prime Minister in 1933.

New Zealand has a representative, Mr. J. W. Collins, in Toronto, said Mr. Masters, but it is recognised that the area to be covered and the great distances separating the western coast of America from the eastern States make ft impossible for Mr. Collins to maintain effective contact with the trade and tourist interests on the Pacific Slope and western areas generally. New Zealand has direct and frequent shipping connection with western America, and while at present trade with the States, in some respects, is rendered difficult, action has been taken to bring about improved trading relations. In dealing with such matters it is of importance that New Zealand should have a survey of possible avenues for the development of business. Moreover, even under existing conditions, opportunities for increased trade no doubt exist, and a trade commissioner, suitably located, could be of material assistance, and could do much to adjust difficulties which arise from time to time between New Zealand exporters and rading interests, and State and Federal iuthorities in American

"It is worthy of mention," said the Minister, "that Australia has, for several years, had, at San Francisco, a representative who deals purely with tourist publicity affairs, and the value of his work is widely recognised. Cabinet, accordingly, has approved of the opening of an office, and an appointment will be made without delay."