N.Z. Still An Amateur In Trade

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30274, 29 October 1963, Page 15

N.Z. Still An Amateur In Trade

(Special Crroai LONDON, Oct. 28 Greater interest in European trade is being shown by New Zealand, one of whose trade commissioners has made a survey in Sweden, but are interest and determination synonymous? Rightly or wrongly New Zealanders in London have been left with the impression toa. inert has peen no concerted or determined followup to surveyors or trade fair exhibits. New Zealand still has no representation in Europe concentrating on trade expansion. It has been argued that the

field is too large to be covered from London, where the trade commissioner’s small staff spends much of its time at international gatherings When questions have been raised in New Zealand abou: new posts, there appears to have been, rightly or wrongly, differences of opinion among departments One view has been that full diplomatic representation through the Ex emal Affairs Department must come first The expense of new missions has also been pointed out, and there have been differences of opinion as to

where the missions should be —Bonn. Rome or Athens The result is ’hat New Zealand has neither diplomatic

nor trade representation in these capitals. Apart from minor outposts, t- there any line to be properly drawn between trade and diplomatic functions? Surely not. if New Zealand wishes to develop trade. New Zealand has not yet taken a leaf out ot other Commonwealth countries' books in appointing trade counsels or trade specialists as diplomatic heads in countries where, for one reason or another, trade interests are paramount and political ambassadors are not regarded as essential Some New Zealanders in London take the view that only by establishing resident missions in Europe with the

emphasis on trade will New Zealand expand trade. If it is too expensive to have several missions, they should be restricted to one, perhaps two, countries where the opportunities seem most likely, and a full effort be made there for a start, they say.

It is more important to New Zealand to be represented. say. in Western Germany or Italy, than in Ghana, some claim

Others maintain that Britain remains New Zealand’s main market and that energies should still be concentrated in Britain. Yet another view is that New Zealand should take advantage of the breathing

space before Britain makes a move towards the European Common Market, which Sir Alec Douglas-Home has said will not be for a time. A general impression in London is that New Zealand, while interested in developing trade with Europe, and while pressing the already extended trade commissioner’s staff to great effort, has not yet shown any real determination in translating the interest to action.

Compared with Britain, Australia, Canada and other Commonwealth countries, including South Africa, New Zealand has not yet changed from amateur to professional status in European trade development.