Economy defended

Press, 13 November 1982, Page 7

Economy defended

PA Wellington The Minister of Overseas Trade. Mr Cooper, has said that he would dispute any contention that New Zealand's economy was doing worse than others. In a wide-ranging address in Napier, touching also on butter access to the United Kingdom, protectionism, and the wage-price freeze. Mr Cooper said he had based this observation on his own visits abroad and by talking to his colleagues who had travelled.

"I strongly dispute that our economy is faring worse than others." he said in an address to the Hawke's Bay branch of the Export Institute.

"You will know there is a world-wide recession."

Mr Cooper said that “times might have been better" both in New Zealand

and abroad but it was also true that people's expectations — what they expected from the economy and the Government — had never been higher. “It is healthy to have great expectations. However, the expectations will not be satisfied unless from all of us there are the drive and tenacity to work for and obtain those goals." Mr Cooper said there needed to be less restriction and more expansion in world trade, but governments were under pressure to intensify border controls.

He said that at the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade conference of Ministers in Geneva late this month he would again try to make inroads into agricultural protectionism. "Improved access to our markets is a paramount consideration but so is having

competitively priced products to sell .. To be successful in export markets ... we will have to compete with both the domestic manufacturers and a large number of world suppliers." He also said that if inflation was not reduced, “we are likely to effectively price ourselves out of export markets."

On the freeze. Mr Cooper said that if a secret ballot was held now asking all trade unionists and State employees whether they wanted more wages or fringe benefits. or job security and lower inflation, "the second choice would win by a mile."

Mr Cooper said he be- '■ lieved New Zealand would continue to send "essential" ■ quantities of butter to j Britain but it had to "keep I up the pressure" to remain j in that market.