Fish Merchants To Warn Of Need For Aid

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31134, 10 August 1966, Page 16

Fish Merchants To Warn Of Need For Aid

GN’euz Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, August 9. The New Zealand Wholesale Fish Merchants’ Association warned today that, unless Government aid was forthcoming. New Zealand might cease to compete in world fish markets.

The association’s president, Mr J. S. Brown-Rennie, said in a statement: “Unless the Government can come forward at an early date with constructive ideas, such as financial assistance at reasonable rates of interest for building ! vessels and processing plant and other practical assistance, then New Zealand producers will simply have to retire from world markets altogether. “It is tragic that New Zealand. with such rich potential in fishing grounds, may have to revert to a pattern of home

consumption only and watch as other countries with heavily-subsidised fishing industries enjoy the golden markets awaiting them." Mr Brown-Rennie was commenting on the reported price war on the Australian fish market Effect On N.Z.

He said the association had for some time been disturbed at the prospect of a glut on the Australian market and its due effect on the New Zealand export market for fish products. Mr Brown-Rennie said the New Zealand cost structure did not allow for any cutting of prices. Exporters were already working to extremely fine margins in supplying overseas markets. “The effect of the current Australian situation, which is apparently tantamount to dumping, is having serious repercussions in New Zealand and wholesale merchants in several New Zealand ports are having no option than to put limits on fish suppliers for certain types of prime fish. “Unhappy Situation” “This unhappy situation is being felt by all sections of the industry—from fishermen through to wholesale stockists. “The association has asked the Government on several occasions to face up to the economic difficulties which confront the industry. “It has been drawn to the Government's attention that the fishing industry in New Zealand is a vital section of our economy, particularly with reference to its potential as an earner of overseas exchange.”

Mr Brown-Rennie said it was true that the Government had offered “certain financial assistance” in 1965. “But this, unfortunately, was directed solely toward increasing the catch potential of New Zealand boats and has disregarded the effect any increased catch would have on what can only be regarded as the minima] facilities of shorebased processing sheds. “The danger of New Zea-

land, with an already extremely high-cost structure for its fish for export, trying to compete with subsidised products from other competitive countries, has also been pointed out to the Government on past occasions.”