FISHERMEN’S CONFERENCE

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30533, 31 August 1964, Page 8

FISHERMEN’S CONFERENCE

Interdepartmental “Chaos” Alleged (From Our Own Reporter) TIMARU, August 30. What sort of chaos existed in Wellington, where the fishing industry was being encouraged by one department and hindered by another? asked Mr J. G. Sutherland (Timaru Fishermen's CoOperative Society), speaking in favour of a remit on customs duty placed before the annual meeting at St. Patrick’s Hall of the New Zealand Federation of Commercial Fishermen. The conference decided that, in view of Government policy favouring development in the industry, the federation ask the Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) to seek exemption from present import restrictions, customs duties, and sales tax directly opposed to that end. Mr Sutherland said as much as 60 per cent duty had been placed on some imported gear which was essential equipment. The president (Mr D. K. Hope) said there also appeared to be a strong feeling that a boat could be obtained much more cheaply overseas. Mr L. J. Neilson (Port Chalmers) said there was sales tax on oil and batteries—main essentials in the catching of fish. Mr Sutherland suggested the matter should be taken to the Prime Minister' (Mr Holyoake) so that he could settle the argument between the different Ministers. In the United Kingdom fishermen were given a free grant of 30 per cent and loans took them up to 80 per cent of the money required, spread over 10 to 15 years.

“The Government is hindering us. We are getting nothing free, and we should let the public know what is happening,” Mr Sutherland continued. Japan had spent fantastic sums on fishing,- and had risen from one of the lower countries to the leading fishing country in the world, he said. The secretary (Mr J. P. Davies, Christchurch) said that from the last conference a request was made to have a radio transmitter installed as essential equipment on all fishing boats. “That went through the Select Committee and the Fishing Industry Board, and was passed back to the industry to iron out on survey and manning,” Mr Davies said. The Government had consistently omitted any reference to radio transmitters, and there was no act to say they must be installed as standard equipment, Mr Davies continued.. The Post Office controlled radio equipment once it became “essential,” and the minimum specification demanded by this department was £4OO a set. Mr Davies said this was one instance where a zealous Government department had completely blocked the intention of the federation .to obtain suitable radio equipment at a reasonable price.