90. Mr. Scott-Elliotasked the President of the Board of Trade for what industries joint overseas marketing associations have been established by manufacturers; and whether it is his intention to encourage the establishment of more associations of this kind.
§ Mr. Marquand:Joint overseas marketing associations may take many forms. There are combined selling organisations in certain industries though I am not aware of any which include all the firms in an industry. Others have been created which include firms in a number of industries catering for the requirements of the same type of customer. These groups cover such goods as machine tools, engineers, small tools, internal combustion engines, radio components, hosiery, hospital equipment and pharmaceuticals.
I am satisfied that such joint efforts will strengthen our overseas selling efforts and that all trade organisations and individual firms should study the possibility of such development. In these organisations it should be possible to take advantage of the great services which merchants are in a position to render and I am aware of several arrangements which have secured this combination. The Board of Trade will be glad to advise firms which may contemplate such arrangements.