TRADE WITH AMERICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 36

TRADE WITH AMERICA.

The following appeared in last week’s Second Edition.

MR FOSTER’S IMPORTANT : MISSION.

WELLINGTON, February 25?

After more t’ m two years’ service in the Dominion, Mr Julian B. Foster. 'American Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, is leaving by. the Makura tomorrow on a lengthy visit to the United States. Mr Foster, who was married on Saturday to Miss Leckie, of Heretaunga, will be accompanied by his wife, and after a brief holiday in his native State of Alabama, he will make an extensive tour of the United States. Recently he was asked by the United States Department of Commerce if he would like to return to New Zealand at the conclusion of his tour, and he replied that he had had such a good reception in the Dominion and liked the country so much that he desired to do so. Mr and Mrs Foster will return to Wellington about October.

While in the United States Mr Foster will visit 50 or 60 of the leading industrial centres. He is taking with him a complete set of industrial and scenic films ; which have been specially prepared for him by the Government Publicity Office. The films fully describe the principal scenic and tourist attractions and every phase of the primary aud principal secondary industries of the Dominion. During his tour Mr Foster will confer with the industrial organisations and Chambers of Commerce throughout the United States, and while addressing them will make full use -i the kinema films. He states that he is going to try to present a true picture of the extraordinary economic development of New Zealand, and in conferring with manufac turers and exporters he will give them the benefit of his observations and study regarding the markets here for their products, and do everything possible to secure connections in America for New Zealand exporters of products that do not compete directly with American enterprises.

Me Foster said he was going to look into the question of the United States tariff on wool and frozen meat, but he did not think there was any marked chance of a further increase In those items.

Since the American Trade Commissioner’s office was established in Wellington in August, 1927, said Mr Foster, he had Lad more than 1800 callers, and had been in contact with importers and exporter's in every commercial centre in the Dominion. The office had accounted directly for 1,000,000 dollars’ worth of trade between New Zealand and America The growing importance of New Zealand as an economic factor had been recognised by the United States Department of Commerce by the appointment of Mr Charles Kunkel as assistant trade commissioner in New Zealand. Mr Kunkel will be in charge during Mr Foster’s absence, and will encourage in every way possible trade between New Zealand and America.

Mr Foster said he had just returned from a visit to all the main commercial centres of the Dominion, and he considered that the economic outlook was extremely bright. Barring unforeseen events, there was every prospect of a record trade year. He was leaving New Zealand \Vith genuine admiration and respect for her people, and would look forward to his return in October, after which he hoped to remain in New Zealand for at least another three years.