DISCUSSIONS ON BANANAS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28604, 5 June 1958, Page 14

DISCUSSIONS ON BANANAS

Fiji Delegation Arrives In N.Z. (New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 4. The Prime Minister (Mr Nash) tonight extended a “Warm welcome” to the members of the Fijian delegation who arrived in Wellington this evening for discussions with the Government on Fiji’s banana trade with New Zealand. “It is an important delegation including four senior members of the Fiji Legislative Council and two leading businessmen. I want to assure them that the New Zealand Government will receive any representations they make with the utmost sympathy,” said Mr Nash. The leader of the visiting delegation is Mr H. W. Davidson, Financial Secretary to the Fiji Government, who arrived in Wellington on Tuesday. The other members are Mr W. G. Johnson, Ratu G. K. Cakobau, Ratu Penaia Ganilau, Mr A. B. Ackland, of Fijian Banana Venture, Mr J. L. Chalmers, of the Colonial Sugar Refining Company, and Mr R. C. Ormerod, First Secretary at the office of the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Wellington. The New Zealand delegation for the talks, led by the Minister of Customs (Mr Boord) will consist of Mr E. S. Gale (Comptroller of Customs) who will be alternative leader, Mr J. M. McEwen (Secretary of Island Territories), Mr G. R. Laking (deputy Secretary of External Affairs), Mr F. T. P. Lock wood (Customs Department), Mr P. K. Edmonds, Mr P. G. Millen and Mr D. Law (External Affairs Department). The main talks will be held in Parliament House tomorrow. Mr Boord will open the meeting, after which the talks will continue on an official level. On Friday morning, there will be a final meeting, with the Minister, to review progress, and, at noon, the Fijian delegation will meet the Prime Minister. This meeting will be followed by a Government luncheon for the visitors.