Pacific Islands Trade

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29900, 14 August 1962, Page 14

Pacific Islands Trade

The Pacific Islands trade mission organised by the New Zealand Manufacturers’ Federation appears to have excellent grounds for satisfaction with its achievements. If its hopes are fulfilled, total New Zealand exports to the islands during the next 12 months will be more than a third greater than those for 1960. the last complete year for which official statistics are available. The

leader of the mission (Mr R. H. Stewart, of Christchurch) has indicated some of the many obstacles to increased trade: and he has also outlined ways in which the initiative taken by his mission may be maintained by the establishment of a permanent, co-operative New Zealand organisation, by better shipping arrangements, and by sending small missions to specific areas. These suggestions merit thorough inquiry by government and private agencies which are anxious to expand and diversify export outlets. Perhaps the best recognition of the trading enterprise shown by manufacturers’ groups such as Mr Stewart's would be a decision by the primary producer boards to co-operate fully in the important work of the Government’s Trade Promotion Council. Manufacturers are not the only New Zealanders who can benefit from new markets.