Drive For Exports To Malaya Urged

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29744, 10 February 1962, Page 12

Drive For Exports To Malaya Urged

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, February 9. Exporters were urged today to consider increasing trade with Malaya, not only in primary products but in other commodities and manufactured goods by Mr W. L. Middlemass, New Zealand's Trade Commissioner in Malaya since 1959.

He told the exporters’ section of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce that the Federation of Malaya was far from being a poor country. The value of its exports last year was £320 million, and the country had a favourable trade balance of £6O million. The secret of trading success in Malaya was not so much quality as price. There was an opportunity on the (Malayan market for nearly every manufactured article, but in many cases New Zealand could not hope to compete with such places as Hong Kong, Japan and several European countries. However, some New Zealand products were turning up in a surprising manner in unusual places. Instances were woodworking machinery, water heaters, electronic equipment an<j scientific apparatus. Of New Zealand primary produce. Mr Middlemass said: Milk: The market was growing rapidly and two of the largest plants in the country were using New Zealand constituents. Skimmed milk powder and anhydrous milk fat imported from New Zealand last year were valued at £60,000 and £65,000. Full cream milk powder to the value of £70.000 and infant food (full cream powder made to a special formula) valued at £150,000 had been sold. Meat: The Malayan importers would rather buy a lower quality meat for a lower price. The carcase was not sold as joints, but cut up on a bandsaw into cubes and sold in small quantities for curries. The fact that the animals were not Moslemkilled mitigated against sales.

but discussions now proceeding might bring about a change and it was expected that New Zealand would be able this year to meet Moslem requirements. He said Australia was a stern competitor, particularly as its meat was lower priced and Moslem-killed. Its exporters were very active, visiting the country in force recently and holding a trade fair.

Mr Middl emass strongly urged New Zealand exporters to see conditions for themselves and to discuss prices and conditions on the spot.

There was no market for New Zealand softwoods in Malaya because it was very vulnerable to attack by white ants. Newsprint would find a market, but New Zealand production was fully committed.