BIG INCREASE IN TRADE

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29368, 22 November 1960, Page 6

BIG INCREASE IN TRADE

New Zealand And Japan

(New Zealand Press Association; AUCKLAND, November 21.

The Japan industry floating fair on the 10,000-ton Aki Maru was opened'by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Anderton) today.

He said the agreement on commerce signed between New Zealand and Japan in 1958 had resulted in a large increase in trade between the two countries. One result of that had been that more New Zealanders than ever before were visiting Japan. That was a sure basis on which to build more prosperous and peaceful relations in the Pacific area.

The trade balance between New Zealand and Japan was very much in New Zealand’s favour, said the Japanese Ambassador (Mr Shiro Ishiguro). This year, he said, New Zealand’s exports to Japan in the first six,months reached the record amount of £5.8 million. Total exports in 1959 were valued at £6.6 million. Japan’s exports to this country in the first half of 1960 totalled £2.9 million, and in 1959 they were £3.5 million.

“The striking thing about the trade growth between our two countries,” he said, “is that it has been rapid and consistent.” Japan was buying New Zealand wool,.meat and dairy produce in increa'sing quantities and thus was helping farmers here. Japan had also contributed to the development of New Zealand’s economy by branching into new export items, such as timber and coal.

“In return you have been taking bigger amounts of our manufactured goods and enabled us to raise the living standards of our common people,” said Mr Ishiuro. “Our workers and farmers are using more wool and consuming more meat than they could before.”