New Minister For Israel On Visit To Christchurch

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28728, 28 October 1958, Page 12

New Minister For Israel On Visit To Christchurch

Israel was striving to become “anbther Switzerland”—a country in which agriculture and industry were finely balanced, said Mr Mosche Yuval, the new Minister for Israel to Australia and New Zealand yesterday. Mr Yuval arrived in Christchurch last evening during a visit on which he will present his credentials to the Governor-General (Lord Cobham) on October 29. Israel, a small country of 8100 square miles and a population of about 2,000,000, was forced to this position because of her lack of raw materials and . sources of energy, Mr Yuval said. But her industry, although a processing industry based on imported raw materials, was noted, like the Swiss industries, for its high skill. Development of Agriculture Agriculture was somewhat hampered by limited resources of water, but its development was being greatly helped by United Nations technical assistance. Cattle breeding was being improved, new seeds were constantly being introduced, agricultural machinery was making new methods of farming possible, production was being increased by use of fertilisers, and the important potash and phosphate industries were being developed. There was, as yet, little trade between Israel and New Zealand —“but we are not thinking only in terms of 1958,” Mr Yuval said.

Last year, Israel took 700 tons of New Zealand frozen meat. It hoped to buy a similar amount this year, “and there is every likelihood of us buying increased quantities,” said Mr Yuval. . In turn, Israel was looking for markets for her potash and phosphates, and her high-quality textiles and fabrics. Eventually, New Zealand might be able to take some of these. Like most Middle East countries, Israel is striving to develop her resources and improve her standards of living. She w’as at the moment prospecting for oil, as only 5 per cent, of her petrol requirements could be supplied locally. Middle East Politics Mr Yuval would not speak on Middle East politics. “With the present concentration on hatred and competition, it will take some time for stability to be achieved,” was his only comment. Israel viewed as “a pity” the fighting in Cyprus, her nearest neighbour, with which she had trade connexions, Mr Yuval said. Mr Yuval was consul for Israel in Cyprus in 1952 and 1953. During World War II he was liaison officer for the Jewish Agency for Palestine in the Middle East and later in Italy, where he met many New Zealanders. During his term of minister (which is an indefinite one), Mr Yuval will live in Sydney, but will make regular visits to New Zealand.