“Views Entitled To Be Taken Seriously”

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31579, 17 January 1968, Page 16

“Views Entitled To Be Taken Seriously”

“The views expressed by Mr D. D. M. Stewart, Assistant New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Melbourne, about our trade performance in Australia were his own, but they were the views of an official who has been actively engaged in the promotion of New Zealand exports to Australia for the last three years and, as such, entitled to be taken seriously,” said the Secretary of Industries and Commerce (Mr M. J. Moriarty), commenting yesterday on statements made on Saturday by Mr Stewart.

"I am sure Mr Stewart would not say—and certainly the department would not say—that his criticism of New Zealand manufacturers for failure to take advantage of trade opportunities- is valid for all manufacturers. Many firms have worked hard and successfully in developing markets in Australia, and some of them are in Canter-

bury. There are many more who are breaking into the market “Indeed, in some fields New Zealand manufacturers are already substantial and even major suppliers to Australia,” Mr Moriarty said. “But it is quite true, and this message has been strongly emphasised, not only by Ministers and officials, but also by manufacturers and traders, that there is scope for a far more massive attack on the Australian market and that even now there are many firms which have not seriously explored the possibilities. “I fully agree with Mr Stewart that devaluation, and the opportunities afforded by the Free Trade Agreement, have vastly increased the potential for expanding our exports to Australia, and it is up to all of us in government and in industry to co-operate in reaping the maximum benefit from those opportunities.”