Japanese Mission “Most Influential Ever Sent”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30540, 8 September 1964, Page 1

Japanese Mission “Most Influential Ever Sent”

The Japan Chamber of Commerce group now in Christchurch was the most influential mission ever sent to New Zealand from Japan, said Mr S. Kondo, the Japanese Ambassador to New Zealand, at a reception he gave in their honour last evening. Mr Kondo said trade in both directions had expanded a great deal recently, and bad [reached a record high level 'last year. In 1963 Japan became New Zealand's fifth best customer and ranked first in exports to New Zealand. He said there were plenty of opportunities for expansion to mutual benefit. These and closer cultural relations were being actively promoted both by the Japan Society of Canterbury and the New Zealand Ambassador, Mr E. B. E. Tavlor, of Christchurch. Mr Kondo said Mr Taylor was one of the most active and popular ambassadors in Japan.

Welcoming the group to Christchurch, the Mayor (Mr G. Manning) said he was glad to have the mission here because he felt the future lay in close liaison between Japan and Commonwealth countries in the South Pacific. “We have a great problem lon our plates at the present time,” said the Mayor, “and we are glad to know of the friendship of Japan in the future." He said that with increasing trade between Japan and New Zealand, cultural ties were blossoming year by year. Among guests at the reception were representatives of local bodies, the university, the judiciary, commerce, industry, agents of Japanese firms, the Japan Society, the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, and the I consular corps.