IS WOOL OFFICER AT WASHINGTON A PRESENT NEED?

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 13, Issue 39, 10 January 1949, Page 5

IS WOOL OFFICER AT WASHINGTON A PRESENT NEED?

Farmers Differ ■ With Minister

A suggestion made by the Meat and , Wool Council of Federated Farmers that an officer with a specialised knowledge of wool and other primary produce should be appointed to the staff of the New Zealand Trade Commissioner ' in Washington, has not found favour with the Government. The Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Nordmeyer) has replied that there would not be sufficient scope in the Washington office for either a wool officer or for one specialising generally in primary produce. The Federation originally forwarded to the Government confirmation indicating that the South American countries of Argentina and Uruguay had been getting their wool into the United States without paying the full duty thus giving them a considerable advantage over, wool from Australia and New Zealand. Imports by U.S.A. from Argentina and Uruguay had increased by over 75 per cent in the past five months of the year while New Zealand sales decreased accordingly as, too, did Australian. The Federation believed that the best way to protect New Zealand’s interests was to appoint to the staff of the New Zealand Trade Commission a' qualified officer who could watch the position.

Mr Nordmeyer in his reply said that he could find no reason to believe that, in the application of the existing U.S. Custom Tariff, there was any descriminatory treatment of Empire wools in relation to those from South American countries. The U.S. tariff on wool had been thoroughly discussed at Geneva and there appeared to be no possibility of any further changes at present. The present New Zealand Trade Commission in U.S.A. had a good, all-round knowledge of the wool trade and he was kept supplied with the latest information available. He could, therefore, effect any trade promotion activities required and handle any problems in connection with New Zealand’s trade with U.S.A. Where necessary he referred to Wellington. for technical advice or instructions on policy and full co-operation was given him.

The New Zealand Wool Board had made similar representations to those of the Federation and had agreed to supply suitable material for use by the Trade Commissioner in an endeavour to interest U.S. manufacturers in the greater consumption of New Zealand wools. When a new appointment was being made from New Zealand to the staff of the Trade Commissioner in Washington, the person concerned would be given a full opportunity of obtaining.a good knowledge of the trade in wool and other primary products. - Any assistance required by exporters or producer organisations in promoting additional trade with U.S.A. would gladly be given by Mr Nordmeyer’s Department. .