Scheme For Two-Way Trade Boost

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30879, 12 October 1965, Page 1

Scheme For Two-Way Trade Boost

GV Z .P.A.-Reuter— Copyright) TOKYO, Oct. 11. New Zealand will investigate a new avenue of two-way trade with Japan, using Japanese tin plate production of cans for New Zealand foodstuffs for the Japanese market. Mr J. Wattle, the chairman of J. Wattie Canneries, Ltd., and a member of the New Zealand Trade Promotion Council, said he was investigating the scheme because of his firm belief in the development of two-way trade. New Zealand canned food-;

stuffs were receiving an enthusiastic reception at the New Zealand food ex-hibition in the Seibu department store in Tokyo. Mr Wattie is in Tokyo with . the New Zealand economic and good-will mission. He said he would pursue the possibility of buying into the Japanese tin market. “We would use the tin plate to produce cans for foodstuffs for the Japanese market,” he said. New Zealand’s present main sources of supply for tin plate are Britain and Australia. “Japanese tin plate is a top quality product and our use of it tor goods aimed for the consumer market in Tokyo should be a natural for a new trade link,” Mr Wattie said. He said such trade should also be welcomed by the shipping industry. “We would use the same

ships to carry the tin plate to New Zealand and the canned goods to Japan.” CLOSER LINKS The New Zealand Ambassador to Japan, Mr John Scott, said the purpose of the mission was to strengthen the already close trading links between the two countries and to deepen understandin" at all levels between the peoples. Sir John Ormond, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Board and leader of the mission, said the mission was not in Tokyo to negotiate trade.

“But I would be disappointed if individual members of the mission did not pursue new business for their respective industries,” he said. Sir John Ormond said New Zealand at present sold £15,997,000 of goods, mostly wool, sheep meat, dairy products. and timber to Japan

and bought £18,334,000 of capital goods in return. “In talks with Government and business leaders this week we will sound out the Japanese view of allowing a more free entry of dairy products,” he said. New Zealand would be able to cope with any further demand for mutton by Japan and was ready to accept substantial orders for lamb, he said. New Zealand is Japan's main exporter of sheep meat, sending about 40,000 tons of mutton and a small tonnage of lamb.

The mission today called on the Prime Minister (Mr Eisaku Sato), the Foreign Minister (Mr Etsusaburo Shiina), and the International and Trade and Industries Minister (Mr Takeonmiki). The mission will tour industrial areas outside Tokyo before leaving for Formosa on October 24.