Development Of Pacific Markets Urged

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31967, 19 April 1969, Page 12

Development Of Pacific Markets Urged

“Get out and sell to our 100 million nearest neighbours in the Pacific Basin,” the president of the Associated Chambers of Commerce < Mr S. C. Scott) told the Canterbury Chamber in Christchurch yesterday. “For some reason or other our share of the South Pacific market is still relatively small In the case of Fiji we have a long way to go to overtake Australia, which sold more than three times as much in Fiji as we did in 1967," said Mr Scott “Some firms are already exporting successfully to this area, but more could do so with profit” Mr Scott said most of the Pacific Islands had a low standard of living and a protein deficiency. There was a great need for the pro-tein-rich foods New Zealand produced. “The disposal of these Is New Zealand's greatest continuing problem." he said. “The islands also have some great assets like timber which New Zealand could use or sell round the world. We should see if we can obtain timber in exchange for dairy products." Mr Scott said New Zealand's access to overseas markets had been marred by the almost total absence of competition among shipping services and internal transport services on the traditional j routes. “This is not the case in the Pacific area and some quite sharp competition Is developing between three shipping companies who seek to serve the area.” he said. This will assist New Zealand exporters to reach the Pacific markets on a competitive basis with Australians. “The opportunity to diversify and increase our trade Is literally on our doorstep. It is for the national organisations, the chambers of commerce, manufacturers’ organisations and the members of

these bodies to watch the situation closely, visit the Pacific area, and use every opportunity to develop trade which in the long term may institute the beginning of a new era in New Zealand’s economic life,” said Mr Scott