CEYLON’S TRADE WITH N.Z.

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26560, 24 October 1951, Page 8

CEYLON’S TRADE WITH N.Z.

SCOPE FOR INCREASE SEEN MR SEN ANAY AKE’S VIEW (N«w Zealand Prew AsrocWtoit) WELLINGTON, October 23. He was sure there was scope for more direct trade between Ceylon and New Zealand, if adequate shipping was available, said the Prime Minister of Ceylon (Mr D. S. Senanayake) at a press conference to-day. Among New Zealand products which Ceylon would be glad to buy were milk and meat foods? Milk powder and butter would be especially welcome, he said. Until recently Ceylon bought some butter from Australia, but the present shortage in that country had cut off Ceylon’s supply, said Mr Senanayake. Milk foods were used in the distribution of one free meal a day to all school children. “We-hope not,” said Mr Senanayake, when asked if tea prices were likely to fall much soon. He explained that prices for Ceylon’s essential imports had risen more than for tea, her major export, but said that tea prices had not increased in recent months. Mr Senanayake said that the main purpose of his visit to New Zealand was to discuss with the Prime Minister (Mr Holland) and with agricultural experts here the assistance which New Zealand might be able to give, especially under the Colombo Plan. He said he also hoped that New Zealand, because of its advances in agricultural research and animal husbandry, would be able to give valuable co-operation in the establishment of an agricultural research station and experimental farm of 2000 acres planned for Ceylon’s North Central Province. Ceylon, for long dependent on Burma for suplies of rice to supplement her own production, had faced a food shortage since the war, and was now striving, especially in the North Central Province, to increase the volume and variety of her food production by the introduction of annual crops, rotational crops, and pasture improvement. Reservoirs built as part of an elaborate irrigation system 1000 years ago, but which had fallen into disrepair, were now being replaced and modern farming techniques introduced. It was planned to grow more rice, sorghums, sugar cane, and other crops. 'Hus programme had priority over industrial expansion, although cement, glass, textile, and other mills had recently been established or were planned. Mr Senanayake and his party left Wellington late this afternoon for Rotorua. They were accompanied by the Minister of Lands (Mr E. B. Corbett). The party will to-morrow visit the Animal Research Station at Ruakura. Earlier to-day Mr Senanayake was the guest of honour at a State luncheon at Parliament House.