CROWDED DAYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 29, 4 February 1937, Page 3

CROWDED DAYS.

MR. NASH ABROAD. ENTERTAINED IN GLASGOW. TRADE EXPANSION TALKS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON, January 15. Within ten days the New Zealand Minister of Finance and Minister of Marketing, the Hon. Walter Nash, has visited two of the most important provincial marketing centres in the United Kingdom—Liverpool and Glasgow—to discues trade. The object of the Minister's visit to Glasgow was twofold—an investigation of the parketiiig of New Zealand produce, and discussions upon the manner in which trade between the Dominion and Scotland might be expanded on the basis of reciprocity.

In an editorial yesterday the "Glasgow Hernld" stated: "There is little reason to believe that Scotland does not offer a fair field for the reciprocity Mr. Nash has outlined." Welcoming the Minister at a ceremony at the Royal Exchange on Tuesday, the president, Sir David McCowan. said that the commercial interests in Glasgow were anxious to do what they could to promote the exchange of trade between the i city and New Zealand.

On his arrival in Glasgow the Minister immediately went to the offices of the Clyde Navigation Trust. At a series of conferences held there he had a full opportunity of investigating the marketing of the Dominions exports with dairy produce, meat, fruit and timber importers and wholesalers. All expressed a desire to take greater quantities of New Zealand produceCommon Grounds. Mr. Nash was the guest of the Scottish Milk Marketing Board at luncheon. In replying to a toast to his health, he emphasised the links that existed between the board and New Zealand as British Commonwealth producers, and referred to the possible common grounds for future policy in relation to the United Kingdom milk and dairy produce markets, and also in the extension of the consumption of these product-. On Wednesday morning the Minister inspected the municipal wholesale meat, fruit and cheese markets. Mr. Nash was very impressed with the efficiency of the * organisation, particularly for meat. The facilities for the I>an<Ving jof meat, he said, were better than he . had Feen anywhere, either in the United Kincrdom oir in New Zealand. The Minister investigated proposals to ensure full supplies of meat, butter, cheese I and fruit.

Mr. Nash v.as the guest of" the- lord Provost and Corporation of Glasgow at luncheon at the City Chambers, and later visited the Koyal E>:<-hanpe. where he was received by the president. Sir David McC'owan, and directors. There was a large attendance of members. In introducing the Minister, the president Mid there existed in Glasgow a great affection, for New Zealand. It was a Dominion which-was. perhaps, more intimately connected with the city and the west of Scotland than any other. The president spoke of the expansion of the frozen meat industry, and recalled that j lone ago. in the days of the sailing ships. I a Glasgow firm was the pioneer in this trade. Sir David expressed the hope ithat Mr. Nash's mission wou'd ! a profitable one r-oth for New Zealand and for Scotland generally. Maximum Benefit. Mr. Nash, in reply, said that the Dominion had brought into being a system which promised to extract the maximum benefit from the reciprocity principle. If Scotland took from New Zealand produce of a certain value, the Dominion ■would in turn take from Scotland goods for a like sum. If that philosophy were properly worked out, Mr. Nash concluded, he was satisfied that it would bring the maximum benefit to ! the people of Great Britain and to the i people of New Zealand.

Before leaving the Royal Exchange Mr. Nash signed the distinguished visitors' book, which has been kept for the past 100 years.

From the Royal Exchange the Minister went to the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. There he met the president, Colonel N. Kennedy, and directors, including Sir Alexander Swan, former Lord Provost of Glasgow. Mr. Nash informally discussed questions of trade. The visit was a valuable one from the point of view of information gained, the opportunity of explaining New Zealand's policy, and personal contacts made.

In the evening Mr. Nash discussed the administration of various municipal undertakings with city officials, after which he addressed members of the Glasgow Motor Traders' Association. Later the Minister left on his return to London.