TRADE DELEGATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21396, 20 October 1934, Page 14

TRADE DELEGATION

MINISTERS FOR AUSTRALIA PROBABLE SELECTION MR. COATES AND MR. MASTERS [BT TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER 1 WELLTNOTOX. Friday While it is expected that the Minister of Finance, Mr. Ooatos. and the Hon. K. Masters, Minister of Industries nnd Commerce, w.ill comprise the delegation to Australia to confer with the Commonwealth Government on trade questions, no actual decision has yet been made by the Cabinet. If the principal business before the House has been disposed of by then, it is expected the two Ministers will leave for Australia by the Monowai from Auckland 011 October 30. A definite statement that Mr. Coates and Mr. Masters would comprise the delegation was referred to the Prime Minister, Mr. Forbes, to-night. He denied its correctness. Everything, he said, depended on the progress made with the work of the session.

"I am staying here until iny job is done," said Mr. Coates. "In the meantime, I cannot make any definite statement." "If the Prime Minister wants mo to go, I am prepared to do so," said Mr. Masters. It is expected that the New Zealand delegates will also represent the Dominion at the Melbourne Centenary celebrations.

REPRESENTATION ABROAD NEW YORK AND FAR EAST APPOINTING COMMISSIONERS [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Friday A definite move by the Government in the direction of extending its overueas trade organisation is eixpected in the near future. The Hon. It. Masters, Minister of Industries and Commerce, gave a direct indication of this to-night. He said the report of the Dairy Industry Commission had supported the views he had held for a long time that New Zealand must look to new markets overseas if ehe was to find a way out of her economic difficulties, and that her trade representation overseas must be strengthened at the earliest opportunity. Mr. Masters, who had already announced his intention of appointing a Trade Commissioner to represent New Zealand on the Pacific Coast of the United States and on the Continent ot Europe, said he hoped to extend this plan to include New York, and more particularly the Far East. Ihe Government would probably send a representative to the Far East, but it was not possible to indicate at present at what place the representative would be centred. . The Minister emphasised the importance of the formulation of a constructive overseas trade policy. He pointed to the example of Australia, and sai " there was a danger of New Zealand lagging behind the Commonwealth in extending her markets, although both countries depended largely on the same classes of exports. 'lhe recently-ap-pointed Australian Cabinet provided for a strong representation of trade and commercial interests. There was a Minister of Industries and Commerce, a deputy-Minister of Industries and Commerce', a Minister for the Promotion of Trade Treaties and a Minister or Customs. New Zealand, however, was realising more and more the importance of pursuing a vigprotis overseas trade policy and the search for new and profitable markets would by no .means be neglected.