Company's Reply On Fish Prices In City

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29791, 6 April 1962, Page 13

Company's Reply On Fish Prices In City

The allegations about high fish prices in Christchurch, and withholding of fish from tire auction floor, made to the Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry into the fishing industry, had already been thoroughly investigated, and his company's policies vindicated by a Ministerial inquiry said Mr M. L. Newman, managing-director of P. Feron and Son, Ltd., yesterday. Mr Newman was replying to the submissions made by Mr W. Beardsmore, secretary of the Christchurch Fish Retailers’ Association. The Ministerial inquiry referred to by Mr Newman was initiated by the then Minister of Marine (Mr McAlpine), and conducted by Mr C. H. Benney, a former Secretary of Mines, in Christchurch last June. The inquiry was not open to the newspapers.

Mr Newman produced a copy of a letter from the present Minister of Marine (Mr Gerard) to Mr A. C. Perry, counsel for his company at the inquiry. Mr Benney's conclusions, as listed in the letter, were:

(1) That the Regional Committee should have an independent chairman.

<2) That a simple and quick machinery be set up for dealing with export licences. (3) That Feron’s business was fairly operated. (4) That the practice and policy of the Timaru Fishing Company in processing and packing for export at Timaru be upheld. (5) That the practice of retaining some fish at Timaru for processing and packing for export and for local trade, had some, but not a material, effect

on the auction-floor prices. (6) That the claims that fish was withheld from the auction floor by Feron’s to bolster up auction prices were not substantiated. (7) That a background of personalities had been responsible for some of the troubles in Canterbury. (8) That the views of retailers were far from unanimous. 19) That the auction system of Feron’s was strongly supported by the fishermen. (10) That the retailers had the first choice of all fresh fish coming on to the auction floor. HI) That shortages of fresh I fish were due to bad weather. 112) That it was not in the interests of the public, or of the industry, to abandon the auction system in Christchurch at the present time. (13) That Feron’s should try to improve relations in the trade in respect of the auction-floor practice and policy. (14) That the troubles with export licences for crayfish tails were not justified.

Camera Club.—Results in the Christchurch Amateur Camera Club's recent competition were Monochrome. A grade: L. Hazelton, 1 and 3. L. Barnard, 2; B grade. B. Wilson 1, W. Davey 2. Fletcher 3. Colour, A grade. R. Towi send 1,2. D. Meredith 3: B grade. C. Palmer 1,2 Mrs J. Poulton 3.