Meatworks ‘key to Chathams'

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32880, 1 April 1972, Page 2

Meatworks ‘key to Chathams '

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, March 31. The key to the economic future of the Chatham Islands is the guarantee of an improved meatworks on the Chathams for at least 10 years. This is the first of 52 recommendations made by the officials who did the most recent economic survey of the Chathams for the Department of Industries and Commerce. The survey was requested by the Government after the decision in March last year to close the meatworks, which had been running at a loss. The report recommends that the meatworks be vested in an agent of the Crown, who will call for tenders to lease the works pending purchase arrangements which will guarantee continued operation. It is suggested that if necessary a manager be appointed to run the works for the 1971-72 season until a lease is settled. It is recommended that the

Crown finance the improving of the works to export standard, and that attractive filler freight rates for meat be obtained on the air service to encourage the development of this trade, once the road to the airstrip is completed. The survey asks that every effort be made to obtain a resident veterinarian for the Chathams. If this is done, direct shipment of frozen meat from the islands to overseas markets should be facilitated. The report also urges reappointment of a resident farm advisory officer, or more frequent visits by officers of the Department of Agriculture. The survey recommends that the Crown purchase the Wharekauri station, to run it as a demonstration farm for breeding prime and store stock, subdividing later as the land is developed for intensive pastoralism. The subsidy on the purchase and transport of lime and fertiliser should at least be continued. The Department of Agriculture is to be asked to consider the feasibility of establishing a small woolstore on the Chathams to class the island’s wool for sale by

sample, and possibly to transport it to the mainland. Many of the other recommendations relate to the reorganisation of the rocklobster industry, the build-ing-up of the fishing industry generally, the commercial harvesting of paua, the development of eel and flounder fisheries based on the Te Whanga Lagoon, and the testing of the area for trout-farming, “irrespective of any decisions on trout fanning on the mainland.” The huge enclosed Te Whanga Lagoon is also to be checked as a growth area for Stewart Island oysters. A survey of large crab resources, is to be ordered, and Marine Department biologists wilt be asked to survey the possibilities of scallop, tuatua and Cook’s turban shellfish. Peat wax has not been forgotten. The survey recommends that the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research undertake an accelerated scientific investigation of wax technology, based on New Zealand’s mineral wax resources as a whole to ensure that all sources are developed in the best national interest.

The survey suggests that this investigation should con.

sider in particular the possibilities of blending Chathams and mainland waxes to obtain the highest possible prices in world markets; also the possibilities of finding economic commercial applications for the asphaltene and resin acid fractions from Chatham Islands crude wax. It is emphasised that any peat wax industry which may be established in the Chathams, shall be subject to county levies on imports and exports at no more than standard rates. The survey strongly recommends that the two groups interested in peat wax be encouraged to co-operate on the provision of common pot facilities, preferably at Port Hutt, with county and Government aid. Many other recommendations include farm forestry, the tourist potential, and the establishment of deer, rabbit and weka farming. It is suggested that the administration of the Chatham Islands by Government departments be centralised in Wellington, and that the post of resident commissioner in the Chathams be replaced by that of Chatham Islands commissioner. based in Wellington.