Decision to close British Trade Office criticised

Press, 9 January 1987, Page 3

Decision to close British Trade Office criticised

A decision to close the British High Commission Trade Office in Christchurch has been made at the wrong time, said the director of the Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association, Mr lan Howell, yesterday.

He said New Zealand was moving away from import licensing, providing greater opportunities for other countries to sell goods in New Zealand. Britain could miss out on some sales to New Zealand because of the closing of the Christchurch office, . he said.

The High Commission announced yesterday that the office would close on February 13 when Mr Rex Frisken, the trade representative, retires. South Island trade mat-

ters would be handled by the commercial department of the British High Commission in Wellington. The department’s staff would make regular visits to South Island centres. The Honorary British Consul, Mr R. F. Ballantyne, would continue to represent the commission on consular matters, the commission said.

Mr Howell said it was a disappointing move for Christchurch.

Many Canterbury manufacturers relied on British machinery and raw materials. “It will be essential for the Wellington staff to fnake regular visits to Christchurch.”

Most exporters tended to get information on tariff rates direct from London,” said Mr Howell.

The director of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, Mr Kelvin Willis, said the move was likely to hurt Britain more than New Zealand, although the closing would tend to further isolate Christchurch. He said countries with trade representatives in Christchurch tended to sell more.

"My personal observation is if you are not represented, you don’t get the sales.”

Japan and the United States were now the only countries with trade representatives in Christchurch.

Mr Willis said he spent most of his time promoting trade. Using trade representatives based in Christchurch was easier than going further afield.