Canada Keen To Help N.Z.

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31151, 30 August 1966, Page 1

Canada Keen To Help N.Z.

fN.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Aug. 29. Because of previous problems of its own, Canada was entirely sympathetic toward the foreign exchange problems of New Zealand. the new First Secretary in Co mmerce to the Canadian High Commissioner in Wellington (Mr R. H. Gayner) said today when he arrived in Auckland.

Canada was keen to assist New Zealand in the development of fisheries, hydro-elec-tric power schemes and timber processing, he said.

In return, Canada would import wool and under a more open dairy import policy announced earlier this year, would import increased supplies of dairy produce.

“We know that New Zealand is having problems with foreign exchange,” said Mr Gayner. “but we are entirely sympathetic, since Canada had similar problems in the late 1940 s and early 19505.”

In the case of the fisheries, Canadian assistance could include both technical developments and long-term financial assistance.

Mr Gayner said he was especially keen “to negotiate Canadian interest” in New Zealand fisheries. While Canada had already sold considerable timber equipment to New Zealand, there was room for the import of more Canadian pulp and paper-processing equipment.

Canadians were extremely competent in developing generating and transmission equipment. Next week, a six-man hydro-

electric mission from Canada would visit New Zealand to examine the prospects of selling equipment here. Mr Gayner said that while the balance of trade was strongly in favour of Canada, his country was keen to take advantage of the low-cost production of primary produce in New Zealand.

Mr Gayner, who is 36, has come to New Zealand for a term of three years. He is accompanied by his wife and three children, two of whom were born in Brazil and one in the Philippines.

The family are keen on skiing, camping and fishing.