New Trade Commissioners Visiting Christchurch

Press, Volume C, Issue 29502, 2 May 1961, Page 15

New Trade Commissioners Visiting Christchurch

“While it is a pity we are losing two valuable and experienced officers from the Department of Industries and Commerce at the present difficult time, I am certain they will stand us in excellent stead in their overseas posts,” said the president of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association (Mr J. K. Dobson) yesterday. He was welcoming the two newly-appointed New’ Zealand trade commissioners, Mr R. B. Gray, who will act in Montreal, and Mr C. H. Fowler, senior trade commissioner in Sydney. Mr Dobson was speaking at a gathering arranged by the association. The two commissioners will take up their respective posts later this month.

He had enjoyed working with New Zealand manufacturers. who appreciated the problems of the Public Service in having to deal with

fairly difficult situations, said Mr Gray. "I am»coming to the end of my service with the department, and I regard it as a great honour to be appointed to Canada. I look upon it as an adventure and a challenge.” Since he had returned from four years in England, he had been connected with the development division of the department, helping to develop the industrial expansion of New Zealand, said Mr Fowler. “I have a tremendous admiration for the New’ Zealand manufacturer, who. in spite of government intervention, produces goods comparable with anything I have seen anywhere in the world.”

In his Sydney post, he would be particularly interes’ed in New Zealand exports to Australia, said Mr Fowler. He also reminded manufacturers of the big advantage to be gained from travelling overseas and seeing the market for themselves. Personal visits achieved great results.

For the rest of this week, the two men will visit local factories and meet manufacturers.