Floating N.Z. Fair For Asia Planned

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29742, 8 February 1962, Page 18

Floating N.Z. Fair For Asia Planned

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Feb. 7. New Zealand may have a floating trade fair circling South-east Asia ports in August this year if the plans of a Wellington firm come to fruition. The proposal is to charter the Eastern Star with space for about 40 exhibitions demonstrating New Zealand's primary and secondary produce. A spokesman for the firm, Mr G F. Vincent, said that pr Speetl were “most heartening.” The ship will call at Dunedin. Lyttelton, Wellington, Auckland Melbourne. Sydney, Brisbane and another Queensland port, Sandakan, in northern Borneo: Port Swettenham, in Malaya; Manila, in the Philippines. Hong Kong (tapping agents for Communist China as well), Nagoya. Yokohama. Yokkaichi, Osaka, Kobe and

| Naha (Okinawa) and return to New Zealand via Hong Kong and Australia. A similar floating trade fair from Australia last year on the Straat Barka did immediate business worth £3 million and established 40 new agencies for Australian firms. The Australians have now chartered another ship, the Chandpara. to make a journey to the Middle East. Mr Vincent said that local business was being informed of the plan and already there had been some firm replies. Discussions have already been held with the Department of Industries and Commerce, the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Agriculture, the producer boards and the Minister of Overseas Trade, Mr Marshall.

The voyage will last 12 to 13 weeks with minimum stays in any one port expected to be 48 hours and the maximum at least four days. Space is limited because the ship will also be carrying cargo, but 50 square feet each will be available for 40 exhibitors.

Mr Vincent said that the enormous developments now taking place in South-east Asia were creating an important demand for the supply of many goods. “Though this demand is highly selective, it is widely agreed throughout New Zealand that the time is ripe for the region to be tested as a potential market for our primary produce and manufactures.”