Appointment Of N.Z. Minister To E.E.C.

Press, Volume C, Issue 29679, 24 November 1961, Page 12

Appointment Of N.Z. Minister To E.E.C.

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Nov. 23. Changes in New Zealand's trade representation in Europe were announced by the Minister of Overseas Trade dr Marshall) this evening, shortly before he left by air for Geneva to represent New Zealand at the four-day General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade talks. "Because of the need for greater trade representation on lie Continent, and the importance to New Zealand of the current negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Economic Community, additional appointments have been made on the Continent. This has made necessary some changes in New Zealand's overseas representation,” said Mr Marshall.

Mr K. L. Press, senior trade commissioner and counsellor (commercial), London, would become Minister to the Eurooean Economic Community at Brussels, said Mr Marshall. The present trade commissioner and first secretary (commercial) in London. Mr G. H. Datson. would be transferred to the New Zealand Embassy in Paris, with the rank of counsellor (economic).

Mr D W Woodward, industrial adviser in the Department of Industries and Commerce, would succeed Mr Press as senior trade commissioner and counsellor (commercial) in London The position of trade commissioner and first secretary (commercial) in London would be filled by Mr G. S Fox. a senior investigating officer of the Department of Industries and Commerce. The experience and knowledge these officers had of New Zealand’s trade and industry and the problems and difficulties now being met would be most valuable, said Mr Marshall. The representation of our trade Interests in Europe will be strengthened at this critical time, as will also the important function of advising on investment in New Zealand and providing information which will be of help to industrial development in New Zealand.” he said Mr Press was well acquainted with New Zealand’s trade and tariffs, and had had wide experience of international negotiations. He was well qualified to ensure that the EE C. was kept iri-

formed on matters affecting New Zealand, and to represent New Zealand's interests at the negotiations between the United Kingdom and the EEC. Mr Press joined the Customs Department in 1926, and was appointed assistant: Comptroller of Customs (trade) in 1957" At the conference held in Geneva in 1947, which drafted the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT.) Mr Press was a member of the New Zealand delegation, and since then has represented New Zealand at many G-A.T.T. meetings. He was also a member of the New Zealand delegations: to the Commonwealth Economic Conference in 1957 and again in 1953. Mr Press took up his appointment as senior trade commissioner in London in November last year.