EXPANSION OF EXPORTS

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27985, 4 June 1956, Page 12

EXPANSION OF EXPORTS

“GREATER RANGE OF GOODS NEEDED” MR E. H. HALSTEAD AT TIMARU (New Zeatana Press Association) TIMARU, June 3. New Zealand must become export conscious—manufacturers must seek to diversify their products and develop and add to their markets overseassaid the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr E. H. Halsted), when opening the South Canterbury Industries Fair last night. It must be remembered that there was now a strong claim for reciprocity by countries which were increasing their purchases from New Zealand, and those in industry should continually strive for an improvement in the quality of their products and join the growing number of manufacturers who were finding themselves with exportable surpluses. Mr Halstead said. He was often asked to state the Government’s attitude toward secondary industries, ho raid. "We believe a healthy, expanding secondary industry is an essential component of our community, but we believe also that manufacturers should in time be able to compete with those overseas.”

industry in New Zealand was still at the fledging stage however, and the Government believed that a quantitive restriction on imports might be essential for a few more years, said Mr Halstead. “Facing the Challenge”

“It is certain that our manufacturers are facing up to the challenge from overseas. Of the goods imported in 1954, only 19.5 per cent, were consumer goods, the remainder comprised producers’ equipment and producers materials.” This indicates the manufacturers’ hold on the local market. In 1955. 65 per cent, of the Dominion’s exports went to the United Kingdom and 55.8 per cent, of the country’s imports came from Britain, said Mr Halstead. This latter percentage was slipping. New Zealand would continue to retain the privileges of its trade agreements —principally that relating to Commonwealth preference—but just as it was gradually finding other sources for its imports, so should it seek other overseas markets for its exports. “With the new nations coming onto world markets, we have to increase our efforts to retain and further our present exports markets,” said the Minister.

“We can do this by diversifying our goods. New Zealand can produce goods which will sell in other parts of the world.” he said.

Industrial production in the Dominion was now at a record level, and in 1954-55 amounted to £550.007,000 —an increase of 10.2 per cent, on the previous year.