OVERSEAS TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22398, 20 October 1934, Page 22

OVERSEAS TRADE

DEFINITE MOVE FOR-EXTENSION SEARCH FOR NEW MARKETS (From Odb Paeliamentabx Reporter) WELLINGTON, October 19. Some definite move by the Government in the direction of extending its overseas trade organisation is expected in the near future. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr R. Masters) gave a direct indication of this in an interview- to-night. He said that the report of the Dairy Industry Commission had supported the views he had himself held for a long time, that New Zealand must look to new markets overseas if she 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 of Europe, said he hoped to extend this plan to include New York and niorg particularly the Far East. The Government would probably send a representative to the Far East, but it was not possible to indicate at present at what place this representation 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 said 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. The recently appointed Australian Cabinet, Mr Masters added, provided for a strong representation of trade and commercial interests. There was a Minister 'of Industries and Commerce, a Deputy-Minister of Industries Commerce, a Minister for the Promotion of Trade Treaties, and a Minister of Customs. ’ New Zealand, hovyever, was realising more and more the importance of pursuing a vigorous overseas trade policy and a search for new and profitable markets would by no means be neglected in the future.