TRADE AMBASSADOR

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 18 June 1935, Page 5

TRADE AMBASSADOR

Mr. Forbes Visits Centres in Interests of N.Z. Produce INTER-EMPIRE POLICV URGED CONCESSIONS APPRECIATED (United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright). Reeeivecl 10.4:5 a.m. to-day. LONDON, June 17. The Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes had arranged to visit certain provincial centres in the interests of New Zealand affairs, particularly- the sale of produce, but owing to his presence being required at meetings with British representatives he was unable to leave for any- length of time. He has, however, taken advantage where opportunity has offered to make day- trips. He paid very successful visits to both Stoke-on-Trent and Derby, in each case as the guest of the Lord Mayor and the City- Corporation.

At Stoke, the centre of the potteries district", Mr Forbes was received with particular acclaim, because there the export of table china and earthenware to the Dominion is feeling the benefit ot the New Zealand removal of customs duty. The visit was timed, to en able the Prime Minister officially- to open an exhibition of New Zealand produce, and to initiate an advertising .campaign in the potteries district of the New Zealand produce boards. The Lord May-or, aldermen -and leaders of the pottery industry, who officially attended the opening of the exhibition, expressed a wish for greater support for New Zealand products, especially in view of the Dominion’s much appreciated tariff concessions. At the British Pottery- Federation’s luncheon given in his honour, Mr Forbes urged a policy of the fullest development of inter-Empire trade rather than of restriction. Only by selling more produce could New Zealand increased her purchases of British, goods. Ho showed the great extent to which New Zealand bought from Britain and the Empire, and stated that, backed by such a record, New Zealand felt she was entitled to urge the greatest measure of inter-Empire trading. New Zealand’s products, like Britain’s, were of the highest quality-, but they- were striving to make the qualitystill higher. It was necessary for each to explore all avenues that would induce greater sales in the respective countries. It was essential, however, that both sides to the transaction should bo enabled to sell their products at profitable prices, otherwise trade would soon stagnate. y

At Derby-, Mr Forbes, at a civic luncheon in his honour, spoke on similar lines. In the case of both visits the local Press gave long reports of his speeches.