SALMON FROM JAPAN

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26514, 31 August 1951, Page 2

SALMON FROM JAPAN

MINISTER ORDERS INQUIRY

SUGGESTED MONOPOLY OF IMPORTATION

All stocks of imported Japanese salmon fere to be frozen until an equitable system of distribution to all storekeepers has been devised. This was announced last evening by the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr J. T. Watts), commenting on a protest by the New Zealand Federation of Master Grocers that two firms might monopolise the importation of Japanese salmon. Mr Watts has ordered an immediate investigation of the grocers’ allegations. “Immediately my attention was drawn to this matter I instructed immediate inquiries to be made,” said Mr Watts,, “and I have asked for a full report. Stocks are to be frozen in the meantime until a system of equitable distribution among all storekeepers can be made. The Board of Trade is looking into the matter immediately, and will give me a recommendation to ensure that all storekeepers get a fair deal,” he concluded.

The protest Mr Watts mentioned was made by the secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Master Grocers (Mr R. M. Barker). A Press Association message from Auckland yesterday quoted Mr Barker as saying that two firms were to receive more <han 3000 cases of salmon from Japan. “The federation views this situation with grave concern,” said Mr Barker, “If a line is in short supply, then every member of the trade should receive equal treatment. “Grocers would like to know why the Government’s attitude to the import of salmon was not made plain, so that all sections of the trade could apply for permission to import. One of the present licences is in the hands of a chain store organisation and the other with a shipping and importing fii-m which has not previously handled salmon but which runs a shipping service linking New Zealand with Japan.” He said that inquiries by the federation showed that the salmon licences were issued without the knowledge or concurrence of the Government or the Board of Trade. “Anomalies like this show the urgent necessity for the Board of Trade to overhaul an import licensing system which allows preferential treatment and unfair distribution,” Mr Barker added.