Slime relief restricted

Press, 14 November 1981, Page 3

Slime relief restricted

PA Nelson Less than half the fishermen affected by the Tasman Bay slime are likely to get the financial assistance promised in Nelson last week by the Prime Minister (Mr Muldoon). Hired skippers, crews, and owner-operators, not meeting security criteria would receive nothing, said a spokesman for the Rural Bank yesterday. One hired skipper said that

he was turned away from the Rural Bank yesterday morning without even filling in the complex six-page slime relief application form. Mr Muldoon pledged lowinterest loans for “fishermen whose work has been affected by the Tasman Bay slime” when he arrived in Nelson a week ago. But the Rural Bank spokesman said yesterday that the scheme had been introduced “to provide emergency assistance to help owner-operator fishermen.”

A fishermen’s representative on the Fishing Industry Board. Mr Bob Brown, challenged the board’s ruling yesterday.

“The Prime Minister said all fishermen, not just owner-operators would get assistance," he said. "In view of that, the board will be seeking a clarification on Monday and if necessary we will get back to the Prime Minister.” Mr Brown said that in its recommendations to the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries on the form of slime relief, the board had suggested the $2500 maximum monthly loan be divided,

with $lOOO going to the crew. “The slime has deprived all affected fishermen, not just owner-operators, of their livelihood,” he said.

The Rural Bank spokesman said that four application forms had so far been completed by owner-opera-tors.

No provision had been made for hired skippers and crews, “as they are employees, and what goes on between the owner and his employee is their affair.” The spokesman said that the employee was unlikely to have the required security. “All loans must be secured against a boat or a house.