Chch firms join fishing deal queue

Press, 16 August 1978, Page 1

Chch firms join fishing deal queue

At least two Christchurchbased companies are linked with big Japanese fisheries interests among the 32 joint-venture proposals before the Government, pending the result of the “fish-for-meat’’ talks. Lane Walker Rudkin. Ltd, is in a scheme with “one of the biggest fishing companies in Japan” but the operations manager for the New Zealand partners (Mr M. A. Stevens') has declined to name the Japanese company. He said the joint venture had come about through a Lane Walker Rudkin subsidiary, Mathias Meats, Ltd. after a lot of research. A Christchurch transport firm, Williams Storage, Ltd, is linked with the giant Japanese fisheries company, Taiyo Fisheries, Ltd. through another company, Taimoana Fisheries (ChristChurch'), Ltd. Mr A. G. Williams, of Williams -Storage, confirmed the link, but said he preferred- not to comment further. “The proposal is now before the Government, and that is all I know,” he said. Both company representatives denied any association with two 75ft trawlers reported to be due at Lyttelton in October, and the two other larger steel vessels due about March next year. The Canterbury representations are part of a scramble resulting from the extension of fishing zones off New Zealand. Cards are being played close to the chest as the Government prepares to sort out the proposals once any ‘fish-for-meat” deal is completed bv the Japanese and New Zealand Governments. A spokesman in the office of the Minister of Fisheries (Mr Bolger) said yesterday that regional development would be an important part

of the criteria when final decisions were made. I'he Soviet Union is also believed to be poised for a stake through a link with a big New Zealand fishing company. Government approval has still to be given for the 32 proposals for joint-venture schemes with Japan, but not all have committed themselves to partners. Three of the biggest companies not publicly linked with any Soviet or Japanese fishing companies include Skeggs Fisheries. Ltd, of Dunedin, J. Wattic Canneries, Ltd. and Sanford, Ltd. A Ministry of Fisheries spokesman yesterday said he could not comment on any speculation about the partnerships by those companies with overseas interests. Mr C. G. Skeggs. of Dunedin. is overseas arranging for the charter of a big foreign trawler, subject to Government approval. Fishing-industry sources say that Wattie’s will link with Taiyo Fisheries, and Sanford’s has previously reported its opposition to joint ventures. Another charter deal awaiting Government approval is the former JBL group — now Jaybel Fisheries — which is hoping to use a big foreign fishing vessel. Sealord Products. Ltd. of Nelson, handles many fish cargoes through Lyttelton and recently announced two Japanese partnership- — Itoho and Company and Hokuyo Susisan. The Taiyo and Taimoana Fisheries combination has alreadv been involved in box-net fishing at Parengarenga and Te Kaba, on the east . coast of the North Island. These ventures have been linked with North land Fisheries. Ltd, and the Maori co-operative. Horouta Industries, Ltd. of Te Kaha