Mr Gill puts N.Z. case

Press, 14 February 1981, Page 3

Mr Gill puts N.Z. case

NZPA correspondent Washington New Zealand’s Ambassador to the United States, Mr Frank Gill, yesterday put his country’s case for continued unhampered access for primary products to the American market to key agricultural officials in the Reagan Administration. Mr Gill came away from his meeting with President Reagan’s new Secretary ol Agriculture (Mr John Block) and top aides “encouraged” by his reception, but aware that big policy decisions that may affect New Zealand’s trade have not yet been made by the new Administration. It was the second call in a week that Mr Gill has made on key figures in the new Administration. Last week he saw Mr William Brock, the President’s special trade representative at the White House, who has particular responsibility for overseas trade. The calls reflect New Zealand’s anxiety to establish relations with members of President Reagan’s Cabinet closely involved in areas of paramount interest to it. There have already been indications that the new Administration will drop the consumer-oriented policies of the Carter presidency, which were seen as potentially favourable to an efficient, economic, supplier of food such as New Zealand. Mr Block has made it clear that his priorities lie with American farmers, rather than with consumers, who, he says, have.a “bargain” in food, "in spite of rising retail costs.