Co-operative Toheroa Industry Suggested

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29900, 14 August 1962, Page 20

Co-operative Toheroa Industry Suggested

lNew Zealana Press Association)

WHANGAREI, Aug 13. A co-operative toheroa cannery and freezing plant controlled by a trust committee elected by the Rarawa and Aupouri tribes is suggested in a statement issued by a group of elders said to be a majority of the executives of those tribes They urge that any industry set up in the district to exploit natural resources should be planned to give the maximum local benefit, as the area, they say. is already close to a marginal level of subsistence

The statement says that much of the confusion and bitterness over the exploitation of toheroa on the Ninety-

Mile beach can be laid at the feet of the Minister of Marine (Mr Gerard). “But at the same tune.” the statement continues, “we deplore the high-handed, hotheaded methods of certain elements in the community whose opposition to the cannery has come close to violence. "Let us make it quite clear that we approve of the removal of the limit on vehicles, but we still continue in our opposition to the cannery.

"Although the ownership of the beach is under dispute in a court of law. the Minister of Marine has seen fit to grant on his own discretion the rights to exploit toheroa to a private company

"Although several cases involving toheroa poaching have had to be adjourned until the ownership has been decided, the Minister is able, without prior notice, to grant the right to dig toheroa in a disputed area to a private company. “The sole benefits this area will receive from the cannery—apart from the occasional tin of out-of-season soup—are the wages over a period of less than two months a year of a few seasonal workers who will dig and shell toheroa.”

The statement suggested that a co-operative cannery could provide profits tor the cultural, social and educational welfare of the Rarawa and Aupouri people.