British ‘Hard Sell’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30977, 5 February 1966, Page 1

British ‘Hard Sell’

Britain regards the diminishing proportion of British boods imported bv New Zealand as a challenge and is not taking trade with New Zealand for granted, said Mr B. G. Smallman, British Deputy High Commissioner.

Mr Smallman was in Hamilton on his way to attend the Waitangi celebrations. Mr Smallman said Britain was making a “hard sell” in New Zealand.

“The fact that the percentage of New Zealand's imports that come from Britain is diminishing may be reflection of this country’s success in diversifying its markets. “Although we are sometimes accused of taking New Zealand for granted, we regard this as a challenge.” Britain’s future entry into the Common Market would not unduly affect New Zealand's trade there. The British Prime Minister (Mr Wilson) had made this clear. “We still have to eat,” Mr Smallman said. “You have done a wonderful job of conditioning us to eating lamb, and we will not be able to buy this in Europe.” Discussing this week’s defence talks in Canberra, he said that Britain was cutting

its military coat to fit its economic cloth. “We are attempting to cut down defence spending from 7 per cent of total spending to 6 per cent. Savings were made at home with the scrapping of the T.S.R. 2 and other projects, and on the territorial army. “We are looking for other savings in this area, but no cuts will be made which will reduce our military effectiveness. We are looking for inter-dependence in Southeast Asia.” Mr Smallman said that whether New Zealand increased its commitments in this area was “entirely up to your Government” He said that in making its defence cuts Britain was in no way abdicating its position as a world power.

This can be seen by the recent Scottish trade mission, the current mission from the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, and the concentrated attempt to sell the BA.C. 1-11. Whether New Zealand bought the B.A.C. 1-11 or not would have no bearing on the country's bargaining position over butter, he said. There was no direct link between the aircraft’s sale and other trade with Britain. “Naturally we look to you to buy from us,” he said, “but only the right thing at the right price.