Basis For Trade With Japan

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29766, 8 March 1962, Page 16

Basis For Trade With Japan

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Mar. 7. “A strong basis has now been established for a sound trading partnership between New Zealand and Japan, the major consumer market in the East,” said Mr J. D. Ormond, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board today. Mr Ormond returned after leading a delegation from the board, on which he was accompanied by the general manager, ■Mr J. W. de Gruchy and the public relations executive. Mr P. D. Hewland. The delegation made trade surveys in Japan, Hong Kong. Singapore and Malaya and planned the extension of the board’s existing trade promotion programme in Japan.

“The board is now involved in extensive international activity for the promotion of meat consumption,” said Mr Ormond. “Japan is one of the most promising markets for our mutton and we propose to expand work in this field. We have stationed our overseas representative, Mr J. A. Malcolm, for a period in Hong Kong to develop wider market contacts there, and I shall be reporting to the board on the future in Singapore and Malaya.

“It is significant,” said Mr Ormond, “that New Zealand representatives engaged in trade promotion are today to be found all over the East. It should be noted not only by New Zealanders but by the people forming trading blocs elsewhere that New Zealand, like Australia, must promote her trade both ways with the East. This means we must not only sell more but buy more from our Eastern trading partners. “The full significance of this needs to be appreciated.

We must be free to extend our trade with those who will buy freely from us. This, of course, affects not only trade but the transport of goods. We are making great progress in this field and our traders are very active and doing a splendid job. “The people of Japan, Hong Kong and elsewhere in the East are themselves deeply concerned at the likely effects upon them of the establishment of the E.E.C. They are seeking friends and we must have a closer association,” he said.