Soviet ‘will not take money out of N.Z.’

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33694, 18 November 1974, Page 18

Soviet ‘will not take money out of N.Z.’

(New Zealand Press Association')

WELLINGTON, November 17.

Twelve Russian delegates arrived in Wellington today for the first session of the U.S.S.R.-New Zealand Joint Commission on Trade.

The delegation’s: two countries’ trade must be leader Mr N. N. Smeßa- diakov ko\, the Deputy Ministei. concerned that New Zealand of Foreign Trade in the; sold the Soviet Union a lot— Soviet Union, said his but it did not buy much in country would not take™. jten)s any money it earned in his delegation hope to sell are New Zealand out of the agricultural and food processconntrv. ing machinery. The delegation has also ‘•We’ll spend it all here,” brought plans for a shipping he said this evening. service between New Zealand “We are prepared to buy i and the Soviet Union’s Far more of your goods but first, | Eastern ports. the present imbalance in our I “We are prepared to run

our ships to any ports you name,” said Mr Smeliakov.

| He emphasised that the ■ Soviet Union was not priimarily interested in trading [with New Zealand just to earn foreign currency. i “If you want barter deals, [then we will agree,” he said. !“We will spend whatever we earn here on your produce.” ! The delegation has one thing to give away—trips on Russian fishing vessels working off New Zealand for New Zealand fisheries’ research scientists. “We hope to be able to conclude an agreement on the bunkering of our fishing vesisels. here,” said Mr Smeliai kov.

It is proposed that the joint commission meet every two years, alternating between Moscow and Wellington.

“That will mean your businessmen will be able to come to Moscow for the Olympic Games in 1980,” said Mr I Smeliakov. He said he hoped that his country would be able to promote more of its goods in New Zealand with advertising and displays. He promised that New Zealand exporters would be given all the assistance possible should they wish to promote their goods in Russia.