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(b) UNRRA 153. With the termination of UNRRA contracts, the work of the Department in connection with the purchase of relief supplies is rapidly diminishing. During the year the Department has been concerned with extensive administrative details relating to the procurement of supplies, payments to suppliers, and supervision of shipping arrangements on behalf of UNRRA. The supplies obtained included canned eels, canned whalemeat, and canned and pickled horse-meat, none of which had previously been produced in New Zealand. Although every endeavour was made to supply all the goods and services required, it was not possible to do so to the full extent of New Zealand's contribution to UNRRA. The total contribution amounted to £5,200,000, and this was met in goods and services to the value of £4,800,000, the balance being paid in cash. 154. The following are the total values of the more important items which were supplied to UNRRA as part of New Zealand's contribution : Item. Value £(N.Z.) Raw wool .. .. .. .. 2,869,000 Clothing .. .. .. .. .. .. 406,000 Agricultural implements and machinery .. .. 211,000 New surplus ships .. .. .. .. .. 200,000 Canned meats .. .. .. .. .. 193,000 (c) Government Procurement 155. The purchase of overseas supplies, particularly in North America and Australia, was during the war largely on a Government-to-Government basis and was performed by New Zealand Supply Missions. While procurement has now almost entirely reverted to commercial channels, the Department has still maintained, through its overseas offices, a service for the purchase of goods required by certain Government Departments, and, in exceptional cases, commodities required by industry which are in short supply and which cannot be obtained through normal channels. (d) Enemy Trading Emergency Regulations 1939 156. Although peace treaties have not yet been concluded with all former belligerent countries, it has been possible to revoke the Enemy Trading Emergency Regulations in respect of those countries whose return to peace conditions has been reasonably advanced. The lead taken by the United Kingdom has been followed in this matter, and trading has now been restored with Austria, Finland, Hungary, and Italy. In addition, all lists containing the names of persons, firms, and companies residing in neutral countries, with whom trading was illegal during the war years, were revoked by a notice in the Gazette of 25th July, 1946. 157. Apart from permission to despatch parcels by post to Germany, the Enemy Trading Regulations 1939, and amendments, remain in force in regard to trading with Bulgaria, Germany, Japan, and Rumania. (e) Public Relations 158. With a view to providing a service for the benefit of overseas industrialists and businessmen who visit New Zealand, a Public Relations Officer has been appointed to the Commerce Division. During the year this officer has met many overseas visitors and has assisted them by making the original contacts they required, facilitating accommodation and travelling arrangements, and supplying helpful information. New Zealand also benefits from this service, as a favourable first impression of the country, plus a spirit of goodwill, facilitates the development of business relations. As an incidental result, it has been found that the saving of time through assistance with their routine arrangements has enabled several businessmen and their wives to visit our tourist resorts and to cover wider areas in the limited time at their disposal.

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