Strong Follow-Up To Fair Urged

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30862, 22 September 1965, Page 16

Strong Follow-Up To Fair Urged

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.) LONDON, September 21. A “strong follow-up” will be necessary in Italy to capitalise on the goodwill the New Zealand exhibit has engendered at the 29th Levant Internationa Fair in Bari, the New Zealand High Commissioner (Sir Thomas Macdonald) said in London today.

Sir Thomas Macdonald visited Bari a fortnight ago during the first few days of the fair, which ends today. The impression which he gained on his earlier visit to Italy in 1963, when New Zealand exhibited in the Milan trade fair—that there is a big trading potential for New Zealand products in Italy—was confirmed by Sir Thomas Macdonald’s visit to Bari.

“I found there a great and earnest wish on the part of the leaders of the Italian Government, of Government and municipal officials and of many people in the commercial community whom 1 met, to see an expansion of trade between our two countries,” he said.

Classed As Best The New Zealand stand was “an unqualified success.” Indeed, according to fair officials, it was one of the best at this year’s fair. Sir Thomas Macdonald also noted that New Zealand’s publicity was particularly successful.

“This success in bringing New Zealand and her products, both agricultural and industrial, to the notice of the Italian traders and public, confirms my view that the Government’s policy in exhibiting in Continental trade fairs is soundly based and moving along the right lines.” he said. A spokesman for the London office of the New Zealand

Meat Producers’ Board said it was still too early to make a complete assessment of likely results arising from the fair “However, the board is well pleased with the number of Italian butchers who sold New Zealand lamb during the course of the exhibition. The public interest in New Zealand lamb was very great indeed and there can be no doubt that a useful market could develop if a modern

veterinary agreement could be made and if a new approach to retailing frozen meat could be adopted in Italy,” the spokesman said.