“More Japanese Trade Needed”

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31119, 23 July 1966, Page 3

“More Japanese Trade Needed”

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 22. It was becoming increasingly obvious that more trade with countries such as Japan, which had her own shipping lines, was necessary, said Mr W. Martin, president of the Auckland Province of Federated Farmers, today.

The British and Continental shipping companies, in increasing freight rates, were putting an undue pressure on the traditional market relationship of New Zealand and Britain, he said. Australia had made an allout effort to capture the Asian markets and had been able to cash in on New Zealand trade promotion programmes for mutton, lamb and wool. New Zealand had to make

every effort to overtake Australia, and this could be achieved only by making more favourable trade agreements with Japan and other Asian countries. Mr Martin said the Government had already suggested certain tariff reductions were under consideration, and while this was a step in the right direction, urgent action was vital. Unless the Government was prepared to take positive action on these lines, New Zealand might have no ports left in the coming shipping storm, he added.