Significant Trade Trip In Pacific

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30553, 23 September 1964, Page 16

Significant Trade Trip In Pacific

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 22. The trade mission to South-east Asia would visit New Zealand’s neighbours in the Pacific in which the Dominion’s future lay, the Minister of Overseas Trade (Mr Marshall) said today.

Speaking at the final briefing of the mission in Wellington, Mr Marshall said it was desirable to keep in mind the importance of these markets. The mission would make a beach-head and it was hoped to expand and cover the whole area. Trade was the manufacturer’s problem and it was the Government’s duty to give as much assistance as it could. There was a need for New Zealand to diversify its exports. The country had to gain a greater share in traditional markets and new markets for New Zealand’s traditional and new exports. He hoped the mission could be able to create an image of New Zealand trade and traders as reliable and potential suppliers of many of the South-east Asian countries’ import requirements, said Mr Marshall. Not only what could be sold now but possible re-

quirements in 'the future should be investigated. In many other spheres such as the Colombo Plan, S.E.A.T.O. and E.C.A.F.E., New Zealand was taking an active part in developing the countries of South-east Asia, said Mr Marshall.

New Zealand already sold £3.5 million worth of goods in the area. Dairy products, meat, tallow, carpets and fruit made-up the bulk of the trade.

“Preliminary surveys have confirmed that there are excellent prospects for considerable expansion of the range of our exports to the four Countries being visited —Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong and the Philippines,” said the Minister. The mission will be led by the Parliamentary Undersecretary to the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Adams-Schneider). The deputy leader is Mr R. H. Stewart, of Christchurch. Twehty-five industries will be represented. The mission will leave Wellington on October 16 and arrive at Kuala Lumpur the next day. Singapore will be visited on October 24, Bangkok on October 31, Hong Kong on November 4, and Manila on November 10. The mission will arrive back in New Zealand on November 16.