Call for new trade post

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33212, 30 April 1973, Page 2

Call for new trade post

IS.ZPA Staff Correspondent SYDNEY, April 29. The New Zealand Government is to be urged to appoint an agricultural attache to the High Commission in Canberra, to interpret trends in Australian agricultural policies.

Mr A. J. Yendell, who will return to New Zealand today at the end of his term as High Commissioner in Canberra, said in an interview that he would advocate the appointment of such an attache when he reported to the Government in Wellington.

"I will advocate that when the new chancery in Can-!' berra is completed later this year, and suitable accommodation is available, we should! appoint an agricultural attache, with an economic background,” Mr Yendell said. "I think it is important that New Zealand should be con-, stantly well informed as to. what Australia is doing in re-I spect of agriculture. "Australia is our biggest • competitor in meat and wool.* and I think we have got to know a lot about them, soj that we can anticipate what is being considered by Aust-' ralian interests, and can plan accordingly," Mr Yendell; said

Mr Yendell said he believed that such an appointment was logical because New Zealand was so closely involved with Australia in primarv produce marketing. “The person I have in mind would not only interpret the figures that the Australians produce on agricultural development. but he would talk

to practical farmers and pro-: ducer boards, exchanging l views with them. "He should also visit Aust-' ralian research stations and see what Australia is working on. “In short, he would enable New Zealand to have a better practical understanding of Australian agricultural statistics and to interpret the economic importance of them.” Mr Yendell said. Mr Yendell said that he would also ask the Government to consider appointing to Canberra or Sydney a fulltime public information officer.

On trade in general, Mrl Yendell said he believed the' most important contribution j to sustaining a growing level of trade between New Zealand and Australia could be made by New Zealand manufacturers and exporters if they followed up the distribution of their products to the consumer. “They must ensure that servicing, warranty, and quality control is not left to someone in Australia who has only a mark-up interest in the product.’’