XN000022-1973-06-21 — Page 2

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Thursday, June 21, 1973

PLASTICS MISSION TO JAPAN BEING CONSIDERED

The Commerce and Industry Department is giving urgent consideration

to sending a mission to Japan for talks with the Japanese government and

materials producers in an effort to get increased supplies of plastics

materials for local manufacturers,

An Assistant Director of the department, Mr. R. Porter, said today

that for such a mission to be successful it would have to leave very soon

if the increased supplies were to help the manufacturers over their peak

production period in July and August.

"However, it would not be productive to go without all the facts

at its disposal."

With this in mind, the department has embarked on a publicity

campaign, starting today, appealing to plastics manufacturers to complete

the questionnaires recently sent to them.

Advertisements have been placed in a number of papers asking the

manufacturers to furnish accurate returns by the weekend (June 23).

He said he hoped they would appreciate that the sole purpose of the

department in asking for this was to "help them over this difficult period".

"With the help of the Trade Development Council new sources of supply

have been located, but if the problem is to be overcome increased supplies from

Japan are essential," Mr. Porter emphasised.

He explained that everything possible was being done to alleviate the

present shortage of plastics materials.

"Many discussions have been held by Commerce and Industry Department

officials with representatives of manufacturers and importers, and the Director,

Mr. E.P. Ho, has held discussions with the Japanese Consul-General in Hong Kong,"

Mr. Porter said.

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