IMPORTATIONS OF CANNED FISH

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 25061, 18 December 1946, Page 3

IMPORTATIONS OF CANNED FISH

GOVERNMENT’S POLICY CRITICISED

An allegation that the Government is responsible for “mishandling” in its policy of importing canned fish into New Zealand is made in a letter distributed to wholesale grocery importers by the indenting firm of Spedding, Ltd., Auckland. “The Government has now announced that licences will be issued for canned fish from Canada, England, and Portugal,” states the letter. “You wili notice that no mention is made of one of the most popular of all lines of canned fish —Norwegian sardines. The reason for this omission lies in the tardy action of the New Zealand import control authorities. Months have been allowed to elapse since the new pack of Norwegian sardines first become available for allocation. Other British Dominions received their share because their Governments notified the authorities in Washington of their willingness to receive an allocation. The New Zealand Government did not similarly signify its willingness to accept an allocation, and, as a result, no quota was set aside for New Zealand. “To-day, it is too late. Cablegrams received from leading Norwegian packers advise that the total allocation of the current pack has been maae and no further supplies are available. Thus, the wishes and requirements of the thousands of consumers throughout the Dominion, to say nothing of the natural desire of traders, both retail and wholesale, to re-enter the Norwegian sardine business have all been set aside as being of no consequence. , “We feel sure that you will share our opinion that the attitude of the New Zealand Government in respect of supplies of imported canned fish has not been in the best interests of the consuming public, and that without some positive action on the part of importers end traders, the policy of the import control authorities would result in the exclusion of much-needed canned fish from New Zealand for years to come.” ;