Tongans want more exports

Press, 5 November 1977, Page 11

Tongans want more exports

If New Zealand failed to import more Tongan products, thereby reducing the imbalance of trade, Tonga would have to consider imposing import controls, said the leader of a Tongan trade mission and the Tongan Minister of Labour (Baron Vaea) in Christchurch on Thursday. The mission, consisting of seven Government representatives and four businessmen, visited the Macfarlane and Growers, Ltd, market yesterday to look at water melons and other produce from Tonga on sale in Christchurch.

Tonga wants to sell more fruit and vegetables in the South Island to help overcome a SSM deficit. The purpose of the trade mission, which is sponsored by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is "to identify and discuss existing problems of exports to and imports from New Zealand and to explore possibilities for expanding trade in existing and poten-

rial products, including tourism and industrial development.”

The trade balance at present is six to one in favour of New Zealand.

Unless Tongan produce growers received more open entry into New Zealand’s produce market, they could face economic crisis, Baron Vaea said.

Limited transport had been one reason for the small volume of imports from Tonga. In a few weeks, four extra flights were scheduled to begin on which Tonga would be able to send treble the amount of produce carried at present. The members of the trade mission, which was in Christchurch for one day, included the president of the Tongan Chamber of Commerce, the president of the Tonga Tourist Association, the general manager of a produce, construction, and travel firm, and an export-crop grower.