FINANCIAL EXPERT IN N.Z.

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 158, 22 July 1937, Page 5

FINANCIAL EXPERT IN N.Z.

l Our Own Correspondent.)

Discussion on Trade With Egypt O EXPANSION POSSIBILIT1ES

(Fron

AUCKLAND, Last Night. To ascertain the possibilities of tourist traffic between the Dominion and Egypt, Mr. James Ireland Craig, M.A., Financial Secretary to the Egyptian Ministry of Finance, arrived by tbe Wanganella this morning. "I have come to observe conditions," said Mr. Craig. "Egypt would like to see tourists who pass tlirougli tbe Suez Canal make more use of tlie facilities for visiting the many interesting memorials. of the past to be found in Egypt," Baid the visitor. "On the trip westward it is possible, by leaving the steamer at Suez to take a run up to Cairo and see the unique treasures in the .Museum of Antiquitles (including Tutankhamen s remains), joining the steamer again at Port Said. To two comparatively new countries such as Anstralia and New Zealand there must be a direct appeal in tho remains of the old civiHsations of Egypt, a country where historical records exist covering a period of 5,000 years, and where every form of Government, eicept perhaps Republicanism, from Communism to a dictatorship, has been tried a.t one time or another." Mr. Craig said he would Hke to see trade between the two countries inereased. ' 'Directly Egypt can offer New Zealand very little," he said; "but indirectly, if New Zealanders jvhen demanding cotton goods, would specify Egyptian cotton, it would be a help." After explaining the advantages Egyptian cotton had to offer in contrast to the cottons of other countries, and t empbasisiug its hneness and strength, Mr. Craig said that Egypt could take from New Zealand butter, fruit, tiinber, milk products and manufactured woollens. "Personally, 1

would like to see an even closer treaty of alliance between Egypt and Great Britain^ embracing the whole Empire and admitting Egypt to such preferential rights and other privileges as are enjoyed by the Dominions," he said. "Politicaliy Egypt and Great Britain have a recognised community of inte* rest. Economically their interests are the same, and I would like to see this recognised.'' In addition to holding the position of financial secretary, Mr. Craig is Commissioner of Customs and economie consultant to the Egyptian Government. He joined the Ministry of Education in Egypt in 1896 and has held many high positions in that country. He was in the Survey Department for fourteen years and controlled tlie Statistical Department from 1913 to 1917. He lias travelled extensively in East Africa, Ugauda, tlie Hudun and Abyssinia in coimection with studics of the Nile. Mr. Craig will remain in New Zealand for two weeks, returning to Sydney from Wellington by the Wanganella.