Canadian Trade Mission To Assess N.Z. Market

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29749, 16 February 1962, Page 8

Canadian Trade Mission To Assess N.Z. Market

( N.Z. Press Association)

WELLINGTON, February 15.

A Canadian Government trade mission will visit New Zealand from March 29 to April 7. The mission of 20 members will be led by a prominent Canadian banker, Mr James Stewart, and it will include the presidents and chairmen of some of Canada’s biggest companies.

The composition and aims of the mission were anannounced in Wellington tonight by the Canadian Trade Commissioner (Mr J. H.

Stone). “Canada’s faith in New Zealand’s future, despite the current economic problems, and her desire to be part of that future, has prompted this mission,” he said. The mission was the most important Canada had ever sent abroad, and the largest business mission yet to visit New Zealand. Mr Stone said the mission would:—

(a) Discuss with New Zealand business leaders the opportunities for strengthening commercial ties with Canada, explore the market possibilities for Canadian products, and provide a better understanding of Canada as a source of supply. (b) Assess the implications for Canada of the long-term growth of the New Zealand economy. (c) Observe industrial methods and developments in New Zealand. “The Canadian Government in sending to New Zealand a trade mission of senior businessmen rather than salesmen, is looking to the years ahead when the growth of the economies of both countries must lead to closer relationships across the Pacific.” said Mr Stone. “The mission will explore the implications of New Zealand's industrial development as it affects overseas suppliers and associated companies, and seek to find ways of promoting closer relations between industry in the two countries. The men on it are not primarily representing their own companies, but have been carefully chosen to speak for the industries and professions which best fit the pattern of New Zealand development. “The mission represents the heavy engineering, machinery, metals. forest products, chemicals. minerals, electronics, consulting engineering, textiles, fisheries and electric equipment industries of Canada. “New Zealand’s world reputation in the labour relations field is recognised by a delegate from Canadian organised labour, and the director of the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, Mr T. R. G. Fletcher, deputy leader of the mission, will be present to discuss the many difficult problems of overseas trade development.” The members of the mission are:

Mr James Stewart, former chairman of the Canadian Bank of Commerce, of Toronto.

Mr T. R. G. Fletcher, director. Trade Commissioner's Service, Department of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa. Mr Claude P. Beaubien, vice-president, public relations and advertising. Alu-

minium Company of Canada, Ltd., Montreal.

Mr W. M. Berry, president, Primary Textiles Institute, Montreal. Mr Carl Bindman, sales manager, Johnson’s Company. Ltd., Thetford Mines. Quebec. Mr R. R. Craig, vicepresident, Dominion Foundries and Steel, Ltd., Hamilton. Ontario.

Mr R. J Fricker, vicepresident, Dominion Bridge Company. Ltd., Montreal. Mr B. M. Hoffmeister. president, Council of the Forest Industries of British Columbia, Vancouver. Mr A. T. Hurter, president, Stadler Hurter International. Ltd., Montreal. Mr V. E Johnson, chairman. Canadian International Paper Company. Montreal. Mr E. W. Leaver, president, Electronic Associates. Ltd.. Willowdale, Ontario.

Mr L. J McGowan, president. the Foundation Company of Canada, Ltd, Toronto.

Dr. A. M. A. McLean, president. Connors Bros., Ltd., Black’s Harbour, New Brunswick.

Mr G. S Mayo, director, Commonwealth Pacific Timber Sales, Ltd., Vancouver. Mr R. I. Nelson, vicepresident. Nelson Bros. Fisheries, Ltd., Vancouver. Mr S. A. Stephens, second vice-president, International Brotherhood of Pulp. Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers, Thorold, Ontario. Dr. H S. Sutherland, president. Shawingigan Chemicals, Ltd., Montreal.

Mr O. W. Titus, vicechairman, Canada Wire and Cable Company, Ltd., Toronto.

Mr J. E. van Buskirk, president, Harr.sons and Crosfleld (Canada), Ltd.. Toronto. Mr G. A. Ferguson, assistant chief, Chemicals Division, Department of Trade and Commerce, Ottawa, will be secretary. The mission will arrive in Christchurch on Thursday. March 29. and if possible w.ll visit Dunedin. It will then proceed to Wellington for discussions with Gwemmer. t officials and national associations, then fly to Auckland for several days before leaving New Zealand on April 7.

Govt Welcomes Move ' NZ. Press Association> WELLINGTON. February 15. The Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall) said tonight that he welcomed the announcement by the Canadian Government that a large trade mission would visit New Zealand next month New Zealand had a strong interest in expanding trade with Canada and had just established a new trade commissioner post in Vancouver for this purpose.

Mr Marshall said that he hoped that the trade mission’s discussions with Ne v Zealand firms would reinforce the effectiveness of the new trade office in Canada