[?] Rade Mission Brings Nz

To Fiji's Doorstep

Hundreds of people visited the New Zealand Trade Mission’s display during the five days it was open in Suva last month. The display was held in a large marquee in the grounds of the Bovs’ Grammar School hostel from Julv 9 to 13.

HE FIJI TIMES reported that no * effort had been spared to bring w Zealand’s industrial and farm achievements, its beautiful holi r resorts and its way of life to ’s doorstep. Arranged on an easy ook-at plan, the stalls presented ■actively the products which NZ for sale in the Pacific.

The exhibition’s organisers have itrived to present their wares inst a background of beauty and /er arrangement which would have ic credit to a flower show,” The ' Times added. r he exhibition was officially opened the Mayor of Suva (Councillor A. Stinson). With him on the tform at the opening ceremony e Fiji’s Development Commis icr (Mr. E. R. Bevington), the

Financial Secretary (Mr, H. P.

Ritchie), the Commerce and In dustries Officer (Mr. R. W. Parkin son), the president of the Suva Cham ber of Commerce (Mr. D. Aidney), the trade mission leader (Mr. R, H.

Stewart) and Mr. W. G. Johnson, representing W. R. Carpenter, honorary agents for the NZ Govern ment.

Goods on display at the marquee included electric arc-welding plants, agricultural chemicals, tubular steel frame furniture, paint, plastic goods, heavy clay and ceramic products, soap and parts of automobiles.

On hand to answer questions were representatives of a poultry farm, printing and engineering component firms, the Union Steam Ship Com pany and Tasman Empire Airways

Ltd.

Schoolchildren from Suva Primary School, Marist Boys’ High School and Adi Cakobau Girls’ School were among those who visited the exhi bition during the first few days. On the last day, 72 pupils from the Nausori Central Fijian School saw the exhibits.

Before the mission left Suva for Nukualofa, the mission leader, Mr.

Stewart, said he was well pleased with the impact the mission had made during its eight days in Fiji.

“We did not expect to write huge orders, but what we have achieved in orders written has been very satis fying,” he said. “The positive ap proach of the mission members and the quality and competitive nature of the products offered has resulted in worthwhile business being done and has fully justified our visit to the area. We are determined we will follow up our initial success.”

Before going to Suva, the mission, had arrived at Nadi by air from NZ on July 6, spent a day at Nadi and Lautoka and a week-end at Korolevu.

On its first day in Fiji, the mission had meetings with the Nadi Chamber of Commerce and the Lautoka Cham ber, toured the Lautoka Mill, and made individual business calls at Lautoka.