TRADE WITH BELGIUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 3805, 15 February 1927, Page 17

TRADE WITH BELGIUM.

EXCELLENT PROSPECTS APPARENT. WELLINGTON, February 8. That there is a big field for the disposal of New Zealand products at Antwerp, which-is the recognised distributing centre for Central Europe, is the opinion of Mr Armand Nihotte, who arrived from Sydney to-day <o assume the ixisition oi Consul-general for Belgium in New Zealand. • Mr Nihotte, who is a young man, saw active service in the Great War, ana during the past four years and a-half has been attached to the Belgian Consulgeneral’s staff .in Australia, having spent the time equally in Sydney and Melbourne. For the past two years he. has filled the position of acting Consul-general for Belgium in Australia, spending one year in Sydney and one year in Melbourne. To a Dominion reporter he explained to-day that it was a sign of the growing importance of New Zealand that he had been appointed Consul-general for the Dominion, this being the. first occasion that Belgium had sent a permanent consul to this country. Questioned as to the prospects of New Zealand trade with Belgium the new Consul-general declared that they were very bright indeed. “Belgium has to buy all her foodstuffs from outside,” he said, “and we, therefore, want your meat, butter, cheese, and fruit, as well as your wool.” In return for foodstuffs and wool Belgium could supply New Zealand with glassware, electrical apparatus, machinery, lace, basic slag, milking’ machines, and many other commodities from her busy factories. Die prospects for trade between the two countries were most inviting.