MEAT SALES TO RUSSIA

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29716, 9 January 1962, Page 5

MEAT SALES TO RUSSIA

Comment From Legation

(N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 8. The export of mutton to the Soviet Union could mean “big business.” but that depended entirely upon the New Zealand Government said the U.S.S.R. Legation’s commercial counsellor, Mr V. S Andreev, today. He was commenting upon the purchase of 400 tons of mutton to be dispatched to a Soviet port by the Hororata. Mr Andreev pointed out that the Soviet Union was not accorded most favoured nation treatment by New Zealand so was unable to export her goods to this country though considerable quantities of wool were bought here. “If we are to trade, it must be on a reciprocal basis.” he said. There were constant references to New Zealand’s need for new markets because of Britain’s likelihood of joining the European Common Market, therefore, he believed that the U.S.S.R. should be welcomed as a big market provided that suitable trading arrangements could be made

Asked if there was any likelihood of a trade mission coming from his country to negotiate, Mr Andreev replied that at the moment he could not comment.