Chinese toast N.Z.

Press, 22 August 1979, Page 2

Chinese toast N.Z.

PA Peking The future relationship between China and New Zealand looked very promising, the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Maclntyre) said at a banquet in his honour at the Great Hall of the People last evening. But at the same time Mr Maclntyre concluded his speech by toasting "peace and prosperity in the region” an indirect reference to international concern about the Indo-China situation. Mr Maclntyre said later that New Zealand’s position was that it sought a negotiated settlement to the problems of the area.

Mr Maclntyre said members of his agricultural delegation on a two-week visit to China believed techniques in livestock and pastoral farming developed in New Zealand had a direct relevance to China. China’s Minister of Agriculture (Mr Huo Shi Lian) said co-operation in agriculture and animal husbandry between the two countries had made a substantial contribution to understanding between the people of the two countries. Mr Maclntyre and some members of his delegation earlier visited a cattle breeding farm near Peking. Mr Maclntyre said he was

impressed by the size of Friesian bulls at the farm. “They were as big as United States Friesians and weigh about one tonne.” Dr J. B. Hutton, Director of Agricultural Research in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, said the breeding farm was a "pretty sophisticated set up.” Professor J. D. Stewart, principal of Lincoln College, discussed with Chinese officials the establishment of a model farm. He suggested it was possible that a memorandum of agreement on the project could be signed today. Important points remained, however, to be settled.