Labour’s ‘package’ trade policy

Press, 6 March 1984, Page 1

Labour’s ‘package’ trade policy

Parliamentary reporter The Labour Party has launched its 1984 trade and marketing policy — the first plank of its General Election economic platform. It called the policy “a global marketing strategy” designed to market New Zealand as an entity, tying the qualities of its life and produce into one marketable package. As the cornerstone of its 7 policy, Labour has promised to establish a market, development board to bring together all New Zealand groups representing export interests. / f The objects and general activities of the board were outlined yesterday by Labour’s Leader, Mr Lange. Where' market: research showed the greatest opportunities for expbrt growth, new trade posts would be opened, existing ones strengthened, / and new

branch offices also opened, he said. / As well, trade fairs and missions would be used far more to promote New Zealand products overseas. Spbrts personalities would be/enlisted in the promotional drive, Mr Lange said. / The Labour spokesman on overseas trade, Mr M. K. Moore, the member of Parliament for Papanui, said that the New Zealander, Rod Dixon, had won the New York Marathon before a television audience of millions wearing a Pan-Ain singlet Mr Lange said that in consultation with private sector exporters, Labour would develop plans for the export sectors including horticulture, forestiy, fishing, and carpets, using market surveillance as an important guide. The industry plans would

also emphasise adding value through further processing before export, and details of the investment necessary.

Labour would develop a strategy to promote investment in production, exports, tourism, the added value economy, and sunrise industries, he said.

Efficient producers would be able to boost their earnings and gain more competitive costs through the strategy. Mr Lange promised that finance would be made available to groups offering substantial New Zealandwide benefits:. He said that Labour would try to make service sectors, such as transport, more efficient in the carriage and cost of export commodities.

Labour would vigorously oppose agricultural protectionism.

Closer economic relations with Australia would be supported for its potential benefits. But Labour would reserve the right to renegotiate parts of that freetrade agreement that could cause material damage to New Zealand’s employment and investment.

Mr Lange said that the strategy was designed for the long-term needs of the consumer and the marketplace,

Further report, page 8