Israel-N.Z. Barter Trade Suggested

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30178, 9 July 1963, Page 14

Israel-N.Z. Barter Trade Suggested

WELLINGTON. July 8. “We haven’t got money to spend on junkets, you know. We must turn the coin over several times before we spend it.” said Israel’s Ministerdesignate to New Zealand (Mr David Tesher) art a press conference tonight. “If trade between our two countries can be advanced, we shall probably do it.” Mr Tesher was replying to a question after he had stated Israel planned to send a trade mission to Australia in September. He was asked if any members of the mission would come to New Zealand, and replied that it would be considered. Exchange Difficulties

Mr Tesher thought that because of the foreign exchange regulations in force in New Zealand some form of barter or reciprocal trade might be arranged. “We have Jaffa oranges, lemons, grapefruit, wine, textiles, industrial diamonds, cement and building materials and chemicals for sale among other things.” He said that a regular shipping service had been ertablished between the new port of Eilath and Australia that also carried Israel’s trade to South-east Asia. Israel, he said, would be interested in buying kosher meat from New Zealand if suitable refrigerated shipping could be found to carry it. Suez Canal Ban

Egypt’s ban 'on Israeli shipping in the Suez Canal had been overcome to some extent by the construction of a new port at Eilarth on the Gulf of Afeaba at the head of the Red Sea. he said The new port was connected by road to Tel Aviv and by oil pipeline to Haifa, and the building of a railway to Tel Aviv wa” being considered.

Mr Tesher said that Egypt’s action was one of the

(New Zealand Press Association)

injustices forgotten following the 1956 settlement of the Suez Canal dispute. The United Nations’ undertaking oif free entry to the canal for shipping of all the nations had not been carried out following the withdrawal of Israeli troops. Mr Tesher said he did not intend to raise the subject with the New Zealand Government, but added that he would discuss “any topic that the New Zealand Government wished.” Before he returns to Canberra later this month, Mr Tesher will have talks with the Prime Minister (Mr Holyoake) and the Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall):