N.Z. Goods Meeting International Test

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30603, 20 November 1964, Page 1

N.Z. Goods Meeting International Test

As a direct result of the recent New Zealand trade mission. to South-east Asia, definite orders were placed for a variety of goods, including cranes, refrigeration and heating equipment, canned and frozen vegetables and fruit, newsprint, shoes, furniture, electrical components, deer by-products and potatoes, said the Secretary of Industries and Commerce (Dr. W. B. Sutch) in Christchurch yesterday. Dr. Sutch was speaking at a reception held by the Department of Industries and Commerce to welcome home the Christchurch members of the trade mission. In addition to the definite orders, he said, members of the. mission established a number of agency arrangements for a wide range of other New Zealand products represented on the mission. Floor coverings, electrical components, agricultural sprays, water pumps, industrial protective coatings,

were among the goods involved. Dr. Sutch said trade missions, in themselves, were mainly the key to open the door to new export markets. Once a foothold was gained, successful entry on a permanent basis depended largely on serious and energetic follow-up. Third of Mission The strong representation from Canterbury—lo out of 30 members —on the trade mission, he said, was adequate proof of Canterbury’s interest in searching for markets further afield for their products. • “The picture of New Zealand as another Denmark selling high quality goods to the world from its farms, its fisheries, and its factories is not an unreal one,” said Dr. Sutch. “The reality of this idea can be proved from Canterbury itself with its diversified farming, its food processing, and its quality manufacturing.” Dr. Sutch said that to his mind industrial development in New Zealand could not go far without the international test. In fact, one of the criteria adopted by the Government for the establishment of new industries was the possibility of export. Dr. Sutch said that New Zealand must: realise that there would be successes and failures in this field. The country was not geared for substantial manufactured exports and did not have the industrial capacity. “I trust the results of Canterbury’s strong participation on the mission, supplemented by the other individual efforts, will lead to a greater flow of Canterbury-made goods to overseas markets,” said Dr. Sutch.