Swiss Observation Of N.Z.

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31976, 1 May 1969, Page 16

Swiss Observation Of N.Z.

New Zealand’s aim on I the world market should be to concentrate] on specialised production from small units, and not on mass production of items which other countries could make better and more cheaply, two Swiss journalists, Messrs W. von Kaenel and F. Landgraf said in Christchurch last evening. New Zealand already had efficient mass production in its primary industry, and the main threat to its competitiveness was the distance to markets, they said. Mr von Kaenel said he felt he could recommend overseas concerns to invest in New Zealand, and that the country had very good prospects for the Swiss capital market.

Messrs von Kaenel and

Landgraf are visiting New Zealand at the invitation of the Government to make a brief study of the economy, and hold discussions with Cabinet Ministers and businessmen.

Mr Landgraf is the editor of the “Gazette de Lausanne” a daily newspaper with a circulation of 20,000, and which he describes as a moderately conservative political and economic journal He is also a commentator on foreign political affairs for Swiss television.

Mr von Kaenel is chief editor of the AWP press agency, manager of the Swiss daily “Agefi” and chief of editorial staff of the GermanSwiss radio for the Federal administration and Parliament.

They arrived in New Zealand about 10 days ago, and will leave for Switzerland today. Speaking of the resignation of General de Gaulle, Mr Landgraf said this would probably not i.iean any major alteration in the policies of the French Government. He said he felt that General de Gaulle had to some extent been used as a scape-

goat as the attitude of E.E.C. members to British entry, and that the true German and Italian attitudes to British entry might now become more apparent. Both Messrs von Kaenel and Landgraf were In no doubt, however, that probably not too far in the future, Britain would join the Common Market for political reasons rather than economic reasons.

In such a case New Zetland should try and retain a special position as regards the British market for as long as possible. They had gained the impression that New Zealand was ambitious and dynamic, Mr Landgraf said. The New Zealand businessman compared well with his European counterpart, said Mr von Kaenel. Government officials seemed businesslike, and there were some very ambitious projects under way. But, he said, New Zealand should not go too fast Big projects needed power and technicians, and New Zealand had the power, hardworking people, and pioneers in the management field who were prepared to take a risk. The good relationships be-

tween the state and private business had particularly impressed him, Mr von Kaenel said.

More good hotels were needed, and meal hours in hotels needed to be more flexible, Mr von Kaenel said. The hotel industry should send more young New Zealanders overseas to learn about the hotel business, Mr von Kaenel said. Switzerland would be glad to receive them.