No Permission For Tuna Crew Training

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29855, 22 June 1962, Page 13

No Permission For Tuna Crew Training

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON. June 21. He had been led to understand that because of a possible public outcry the Marine Department would not allow Japanese to train New Zealanders in the complex business of tuna fishing in New Zealand waters, said Mr C. G. Skeggs, of Skeggs Fisheries. Ltd., Dunedin, before the Parliamentary Select Committee on the fishing industry. In a statement read to the committee, Mr Skeggs said than on a recent journey overseas to inspect fishing industries which could be applied to New Zealand, he had

returned “confident that a sound New Zealand tuna industry can be established.” Although this industry might be based on New Zealand canneries, after consultations with canning and fishing interests in Honolulu and Tokyo, he thought the export of frozen tuna appeared to be the most economic method of basing the industry. The Japanese had as much experience in tuna fishing as any others in the world, “While in Japan we discussed the possibility of chartering a suitable Japanese vessel and crew for a short period for the purpose of prospecting New Zealand waters for tuna.

“Our proposal was to train local men in the industry and at the end of the period of charter to purchase the vessel,” he said. “We ascertained that suitable .vessels were available and we were prepared to provide the necesary capital for this experiment. “We have since been led to understand that because of a possible public outcry against Japanese fishing, such a venture would be most unlikely to receive the sanction of the Marine Department. “If this is correct it is in our opinion a most shortsighted view. Any such industry Would be a positive step towards the development of an export industry. “We understand that a similar scheme with Spanish interests is likelv to be received favourably “'said Mr Skeggs.