N.Z. TO OPEN WEST INDIES TRADE POST

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28435, 15 November 1957, Page 23

N.Z. TO OPEN WEST INDIES TRADE POST

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, November 14. The opening of a New Zealand trade commissioner post in the West Indies and the strengthening of established posts overseas were announced today by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr E. H. Halstead). “New Zealand already has a strong trade commissioner service in nine parts of the world,” he said. “The West Indies will be the tenth, and other posts will be opened as the need arises. “The strengthening of existing posts includes a further assistant trade commissioner to Sydney and an assistant trade commissioner to Singapore. In addition, two of the department’s senior officers will soon be taking overseas posts. As announced recently, Mr Gordon Hope, Assistant Secretary to the department, is going as a senior trade com-

missioner, London, and Mr R. V. Jackson, Director of the Industries Division, has now been appointed Senior Trade Commissioner in Australia. “There is no doubt about the wisdom of opening .a trade post in the West Indies,” said Mr Halstead. “The countries in the Caribbean area are among our best customers for meat and dairy products. A rapid expansion is taking place in the economies of these countries, accompanied by a rising standard of living. This means an even greater demand for meat, dairy produce, fruit, frozen and canned vegetables, bacon and hams, and other trade items.” For the year ended December 31, 1956, New Zealand’s export trade to the Caribbean amounted to £2.790,000, said Mr Halstead. Valuable increases could be expected. “The post will be centred on Trinidad, and from there the other areas of the Caribbean such as Jamaica, Barbados. the Bahamas and a number of South American countries can .be covered,” he said. “Consultations are at present being held with the various governments concerned.” The Minister added that the success of the recently-opened trade post in Singapore and the growing importance of trade in Hong Kong and South-east Asia necessitated an additional person at the post there. The importance of trade with Australia also warranted strengthening of the Sydney post. This officer’s service would be largely connected with the promotion of timber trade with Australia.