BRITAIN’S TRADE WITH N.Z. DISCUSSED

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28492, 23 January 1958, Page 15

BRITAIN’S TRADE WITH N.Z. DISCUSSED

(N.Z.P .A .—Reuter—Copyright)

MANCHESTER, January 22. The “Manchester Guardian” said today that unless the British Prime Minister (Mr Harold Macmillan) can reassure New Zealand about her trade with Britain, New Zealand would be likely to intensify her industrial development, with loss to Britain’s export trade. “Mr Macmillan’s reception in New Zealand seems to have been warm m more than one sense,” the newspaper continued. “While everybody is glad to see a United Kingdom Prime Minister at last visit the country while in office, neither Mr Nash’s Government nor the press . are neglecting a chance to air their grievances. “.This is as it should be. Even Mr Holyoake’s late National Party Government could hardly have bailed to raise questions about the future of the United Kingdom market for New Zealand’s food products, and her still unquieted fears about the European Free Trade Araa.

Britain s failure to make a bigger capital investment in New Zealand and the erratic quality of some British exports are smaller points but worth raising.” the "Manchester Guardian” added. “The important thing is that Mr Macmillan should have it brought home to him how much resentment, both justified and unjustified, has been simmering among New Zealanders over what many of them clearly consider almost callous disregard of their feelings' and interests. “He cannot, in fact, give worthwhile reassurances over future London prices for cheese, butter and. meat, while British agricultural subsidies are continued, as any Conservative Government, will insist. "If New Zealanders are not re-1 assured by Mr Macmillan they are; likely to intensify efforts to develop local industries, with the inevitable loss to Britain’s. export trade,” the “Manchester Guardian” concluded.