“N.Z. Fish Packs Could Not Be Improved”

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30478, 27 June 1964, Page 17

“N.Z. Fish Packs Could Not Be Improved”

A leading Sydney merchant recently told him that fish packs exported to Australia by major New Zealand exporters could not be improved, said Mr M. L. Newman, a Christchurch fish exporter.

Mr Newman was replying to comments by Mr J. Fowler, a Sydney fish wholesale buyer reported in “The Press” on Thursday. Mr Fowler said that if New Zealand exporters gave a little more thought to the needs of their customers they could double their stake in the Australian market. He criticised packing and grading.

Mr Newman, who recently returned from a business trip to Australia, said he had asked the Sydney merchant to suggest improvements to New Zealand methods of packing and presentation. This merchant, who had had experience of different packs from all over the world, said there was nothing wrong with packs from leading New Zealand exporters.

“Our major exporters are sending fish in popular size packs and properly packed,” said Mr Newman.

Commenting on a report from the New Zealand Trade Commission that values of New Zealand fish imports into Australia had shown a steady decline over the last four years, Mr Newman said: “Although we have had difficulties, we are still exporting all our fish after the home market has been satisfied. Most of this surplus is taken by Australia. Other Factors “However, if the value has declined, it must be remembered that New Ze.-'anders are eating more fish every year and also it is possible that we have been getting lower prices for fish. These factors would effect our earnings,” said Mr Newman.

Mr Newman said he agreed with Mr Fowler’s criticism of the irregularity of shipping from New Zealand.

“Our fishing industry suffers very considerably from the unreliability and irregularity of trans-Tasman shipping, as do other exporters of New Zealand products.” An example was the fate of an order specifically given to

service the Easter trade in Melbourne, he said. It was scheduled to arrive there early in March but did not get there until Easter Thursday, according to the Melbourne buyer. It was still in store there until recently, when the New Zealand exporter, to retain good will for New Zealand, had to go round the trade there and assist the importer to place the fish. Mr Newman said the Canterbury Chamber •of Commerce was investigating the shipping situation on behalf of all exporters. An example of the competition facing New Zealand exporters was that Australian importers could rely on ships from other countries, he said. These were scheduled- shipments which arrived either every two weeks or every three weeks without fail. “This means importers do not, have to hold such heavy stocks and pay heavy storage charges,” Mr Newman said.