ACTIONS OF MISSION

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29907, 22 August 1962, Page 15

ACTIONS OF MISSION

Explanation Sought (Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON. Aug. 21 A Government and backbencher tn ught explanations in 1 >use of Representatives y for actions of the rec< rw Zealand trade missi Fiji and the Paci lands.

(Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON. Aug. 21.

A Government and an Opposition backbencher both sought explanations in the House of Representatives today tor actions of the recent New Zealand trade mission to Fiji and the Pacific Islands.

Mr N. V. Douglas (Opposition, Auckland Central) asked why more care was not taken when the mission visited Noumea. There, in a community where 99.9 per cent, of the population spoke French a film was shown illustrating New Zeeland industry—in English. Samples which were to be distributed as part of the sales promotion campaign did not arrive. A newspaper advertisement sponsored by the mission was inserted—-in English. Wino, Mr Douglas asked, was responsible? Raising the subject in a discussion on the estimates of the Industries and Commerce Department, he said the department should make sure that such missions were briefed with the background at people they were visiting. Mr D. Macintyre (Government. Hastings) referred to “unfortunate happenings’’ in Fiji and specifically mentioned the distribution of sample tins of New Zealand foods which contained no New Zealand food but "Auckland water.’’ “Can we ensure that in future that type of thing will not happen?" he asked.