FOR PRESS

NEW MEMBERS FOR EXPORT DEVELOPMENT COUNCILÂ·.

(Statement by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, the Rt. Hon. J. McEwen)

Two prominent Sydney businessmen had accepted his

invitation to join the Export Development Council, the Minister for

Trade, Mr, McEwen said today.

They are Mr. A.F.J. Smith, President of the Australian

Chambers of Commerce Export Council and Manager of the Co-operative

Wholesale Society Lt3., and Mr. D.E, Taplin, Chairman of the

Australian Manufacturers 1  Export Council and Managing Director

of D.E. Taplin Pty.  Ltd. '

Mr. McEwen said that Mr,. Smith was Australian Manager

for the largest co-operative in the United Kingdom. His firm in

recent years had purchased considerable quantities of Australian

foodstuffs for United Kingdom sale.

Mr. Smith had had close and active association with

export and a wide experience in the United Kingdom market.

Mr. Taplin had maintained a close interest in export

problems and the business he controlled also was active in export.

Mr. McEwen said that Mr. Taplin was the Deputy Leader

of the recent successful "Straat Banka" Trade Mission to South

East Asia and would lead the "Chandpara" Trade Ship Mission to

South West Asia early next year.

.The work of the E.D.C. was concerned with all aspects

of the development of Australia's export trade and was, therefore,

vitally important.

The Council was made up of more than 30 members drawn

from industry, commerce, banking, shipping and road transport

and the Secretaries of the Departments of Trade and of Primary

Industry. '

Both new members would attend the next meeting of the

Council in Canberra on November 29th.

Mr. McEwen said the work of the Council would be considera

bly assisted by the contributions of its two new members.

Canberra, 23rd November, 1961. 134/61T

