CHINESE AT CANTERBURY FARMS

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33290, 30 July 1973, Page 2

CHINESE AT CANTERBURY FARMS

Christchurch gave a chilly welcome to the Republic of China’s Minister of Foreign Trade (Mr Pai Hsiangkuo) on Saturday.

But in spite of the weather, Mr Pai and his party visited a grain store, saw a sheepshearing demonstration, an aerial top-dressing display, and a sheep dog at work. Everywhere Mr Pai showed a keen interest and asked many questions, but he displayed particular interest in the top dressing. PARTY MEMBERS With Mr Pai was a director in the Republic of China’s Ministry of Foreign Trade (Mr Chen To-pin), the deputy general manager of the China National Hardware and Minerals Import and Export Corporation (Mr Chang Ji-chuan), the deputy general manager of the China National Cereals, Oil and Foodstuff Import and Export Corporation (Mr Yu 80-sheng); the commercial counsellor of the Chinese embassy in New Zealand (Mr Hsueh Lin), the deputy section head in the Ministry ot Foreign Trade (Mr Li Shu-te), an official in the Ministry of Foreign Trade (Mr Chen Shihpiao), an interpreter (Mr Li Kuo-tung), and Mr Li Yichen, a correspondent for the Hsinhua news agency. Also with the party was the Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand (Mr Pei Tsienchang). In the morning, the visitors were taken to see a seed dressing display at the grain store of Wrightson N.M.A. in Princess Street.

After lunch they were driven to Riversleigh, the farm of Robert Reid and Sons Ltd., at Darfield. There, in cold conditions and light rain, they inspected stud stock and watched a shearing demonstration. MANY QUESTIONS Mr Pai asked many questions about the number of sheep the property carried, the part played by the agricultural colleges, and whethet the breeding ewes were supplied by the Government.

The weather made it seem! doubtful that the aerial too-1 dressing display at Dale thorpe, the property of Reed Brothers, at Springfield, would be possible. But by the time the six official cars arrived, there had been a break in the weather, and the Chinese visitors watched with great interest as a Fletcher topdressing aircraft flown by Mr L. Chapman went through its paces. Mr J. C. Paterson, a director of Pyne, Gould, Guinness Ltd, and manager of the company’s grain, seed and merchandising department, told Mr Pai of the •wide-spread use of aerial top-dressing in New’ Zealand, and answered several questions. Mr J. Brazier, the general manager and chairman of directors of Airwork. Ltd, also answered several questions about top-dressing and the aircraft. CONGRATULATIONS After the demonstration, Mr Pai asked specifically to congratulate Mr Chapman on his flying.

After afternoon tea the watched Mr C. Reed

put his dog, Brown, through its paces, rounding up sheep on a hillside several hundred yards away. The Chinese showed particular interest in this display.

The visitors were then driven back to their Christchurch hotel where, in the evening, they were guests of honour at a buffet dinner at which the Minister of Tourism (Mrs TirikateneSullivan) was hostess. SIGHT-SEEING The delegation spent most of yesterday sight-seeing in the Mount Cook area. The Chinese visited the Ball Glacier near Mount Cook in the morning and had a Chinese-style lunch at the Hermitage. In the afternoon, Mr Pai visited the 60,000 acre Glentanner Station at the head of Lake Pukaki. During his hour-long stay he inspected Merino rams. Because of unfavourable weather, a flight over the Mount Cook district was cancelled, but Mr Pai had a view of the mountains when he left by air for Wellington late in the afternoon. The picture shows three members of the delegation

looking at sheep during a visit to Riversleigh, near Darfield. They are, from left, Mr Pai Chin-chaing, Mr Li Kuo-tung, and Mr Pai Hsiang-kuo.