TRADE EXPANSION

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 113, 6 February 1937, Page 19

TRADE EXPANSION

Minister of Marketing in Scotland

RECIPROCAL TRADE (From Our Own Correspondent.) London, January 15. Within ten days the Minister of Finance and Minister of Marketlug, Hon. Walter Nash, visited two of the most important provincial marketing centres in the United Kingdom—Liverpool and Glasgow—to discuss trade. At Glasgow, where Mr. Nash spent two days, he was just as well received as at Liverpool, and again created an impression both personally and from the point of view of the policy he is expounding. The object of the Minister’s visit was twofold—an Investigation of tile marketing of New Zealand produce, and discussions upon the manner in which trade between the Dominion and Scotland might lie expanded on the basis of reciprocity. In an editorial, the “Glasgow Herald,” the “Times” of Scotland, stated . . . “there is little reason to believe that Scotland does not offer a fair field for the reciprocity Mr. Nash has outlined.” Welcoming the Minister at a ceremony at the Royal Exchange, the president, Sir David McCowan, said that the commercial interests in Glasgow were anxious to do what they could to promote the exchange of trade between the city and New Zealand. Upon Mr. Nash’s return from Liverpool, he was busily occupied in London discussing various questions with individuals and groups representing commerce, industry and finance. The Minister’s engagements included a visit to the British Industries House in Oxford Street, where he inspected British products of all descriptions. Leaving London late on Monday night, Mr. Nash arrived in Glasgow at 9.35 a.m. on Tuesday. From the station the Minister immediately went to the offices of the Clyde Navigation Trust. At a series of conferences held there both on Tuesday and Wednesday, Mr. Nash had a full opportunity of investigating the matketing of the Dominion’s exports with dairy produce, meat, fruit and timber importers and wholesalers. All expressed a desire to take greater quantities of New Zealand produce. Mr. Nash was the guest ot the Scottish Milk Marketing Board at luncheon. In replying to a toast to his health. Mr. Nash emphasised the links that existed between the board and New Zealand as British Commonwealth producers, and referred to the possible common grounds for future policy in relation to the United Kingdom milk and dairy produce markets, and also in the extension of the consumption of those products. On Wednesday morning the Minister inspected the municipal wholesale meat, fruit and cheese markets. Mr. Nash was very impressed with the efficiency or the organisation, particularly for mea't. The facilities for the handling of meat, he said, were better than he had seen anywhere, either in the United Kingdom or in New Zealand. The Minister investigated proposals to ensure full supplies of meat, butter, cheese and fruit.

Mr. Njish was the guest of the Lord Provost and corporation of Glasgow at luncheon at the City Chambers, and later visited the Royal Exchange, where he was received by the president. Sir David McCowan, and directors. There was a large attendance of members. In introducing the Minister, the president said there existed in Glasgow a great affection for New Zealand. It was a Dominion which was perhaps more intimately connected with the city and the west of Scotland than' any other. The president spoke of the expansion of the frozen meat industry, and recalled that long ago in the days of the sailing ships a Glasgow firm was the pioneer in this trade. Sir David expressed the hope that Mr. Nash’s mission would prove a profitable one both for New Zealand and for Scotland generally. Mr. Nash said that the Dominion had brought into being a system which promised to extract the maximum benefit from the reciprocity principle. If Scotland took from New Zealand produce of a certain value the Dominion would in turn take from Scotland goods for a like sum. If that philosophy were properly worked out, ‘ Mr. Nash concluded, he was satisfied that it would bring the maximum -benefit to the people of Great Britain and to the people of New Zealand. Before leaving the Royal Exchange, Mr. Nash signed the distinguished visitors book, which has been kept for the past century. From the Royal Exchange the Minister went to the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce. There he met the president, Colonel N. Kennedy, and directors, including Sir Alexander Swan, former Lord Provost of Glasgow. Mr. Nash informally discussed questions Of trade. The visit was a valuable one from the point of view of information gained, the opportunity of explaining New Zealand’s policy, and personal contacts made. In the evening, Mr. Nash discussed the administration of various munici-

pal undertakings with city officials, after which he addressed members of the Glasgow Motor Traders’ Association. Later the Minister left on his return to London.

The visit to Glasgow has also been a profitable one in that, as in the case of Liverpool, valuable information has been gained upon the subject of municipal low-cost housing. The Minister had a full list of engagements in London yesterday and again to-day. Last evening he outlined the Government’s policy to representatives of New Zealand stock firms and banks whose head offices are situated here. This afternoon Mr. Nash addressed a meeting of over 200 members of the London Chamber of Commerce upon the work of the New Zealand Government and the object of his mission to the United Kingdom. The-Minister’s speech was well received.