TALKS ON TRADE

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30056, 14 February 1963, Page 11

TALKS ON TRADE

“Welcome News” (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, Feb. 12. “This is welcome news,” said the Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall) tonight, commenting on Mr Macmillan’s proposal to call a meeting of Commonwealth Tkade Ministers. “New Zealand will play its full part in any such meeting,” said Mr Marshall. “No country has a greater interest in Commonwealth trade than New Zealand.” Mr Marshall said that New Zealand’s aim at the conference would be to ensure that the potential for further expansion of Commonwealth trade was fully realised. “At the same time we view Commonwealth trade expansion as but one facet, though an important one of world trade.

f, Feb. 12.

“We will neglect no chance of freeing the channels tor world trade and our aim is a Commonwealth looking outwards not inwards, fully integrated into a free-flowing pattern of world trade. Such a Commonwealth has a role to play in the peaceful development of the world, even greater than in the past,” said Mr Marshall.

In Canberra, Australia’s Minister for Trade (Mr McEwen) said tonight he was “delighted” that Mr Macmillan had spoken out in support of toe idea of international commodity agreements.

The Australian Prime Minister (Mr Menzies) said he had received an invitation to visit London in a letter from Mr Macmillan. ’

“But while I do not exclude toe possibility of going, it is quite impossible at this time to fix even an approximate time,” Mr Menzies said.