Trade Chances In China

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31107, 9 July 1966, Page 3

Trade Chances In China

(N.Z. Press Association) HAMILTON, July 8. An attempt to form a trade mission to China is being made by an Auckland businessman who has visited the country on four occasions. Mr V. F. Percival, sales director of Kelvin Industries, Ltd., is convinced as a result of his visits that New Zealand can greatly expand trade with China. He said today that he wanted to take a team to'

China to sell New Zealand goods. It could not be an official trade mission as the Government does not recognise Peking. “The Government, however, is not opposed to our trading with China,” he said, “and Mr Holyoake has told me he would rather trade than fight.” Other Western countries had built up a very large trade with China. Japan’s exports to China were worth £lOO million a year, Germany’s £4O million, and Britain’s £3O million. “New Zealand exports about £2.5 million worth of goods to China in a year,” he said. “This is a ridiculous

amount. The Chinese are very interested In many goods we have to offer, especially raw materials such as wool, tallow, skins and hides. “The Chinese have recently started purchasing stud stock from New Zealand. They have bought sheep and they are interested in dairy cattle. “If we had the enterprise to sell to them, they would probably be interested in grass seeds and agricultural machinery.” Mr Percival said New Zealand had designed and produced advanced equipment for timber milling and forestry and was a world leader in agricultural implements and machines.