NEW FIELD

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1932, Page 6

NEW FIELD

FOR DOMINION EXPORTS

ITALIAN TRADE POSSIBILITIES

(Per Press Association — Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, June 29

The possibility of establishing direct trading connections, mainly in butter and wool between New Zealand and | Italy is being explored by Signor j Gnilio Cerioli, who has come to the j Dominion, with credentials from a number of Milanese and other Italian firms, authorising him to investigate the conditions under which exports of New Zealand produce may be arranged with advantage to his principals. Although as yet he has visited only Wellington, and one or two small towns in the South Island, he expiesses the conviction that with the return of normal conditions, a- big ti ade is capable of being worked up between the two countries. He mentioned that Italy’s butter imports last year were 3000 tons. It was difficult to say bow much Italy was capable of consuming in normal.' times, but if the price of ' New Zealand butter were reasonable and the present high quality assured, lie thought there was a big chance of Hie bulk of the importations being made from New Zealand. In regard to the tariff imposed by Italy to protect the local ’{industry there, it was very likely this would either he reduced or abolished altogether. There was a big market in Italy for New Zealand wool and he had /.already- sent to Ins principals, samples for inspection. The- opening of actual negotiations for contracts with New Zealand porters; will depend on instructions which Signor Cerioli expects to receive from -Ttaly. Meantime he is conferring with the Minister of Agriculture and Departmental and export contro authorities.