Chch firms ‘shut out’ of 1990 products supply

Press, 13 December 1989, Page 9

Chch firms ‘shut out’ of 1990 products supply

By

MICHAEL RENTOUL

Christchurch firms have been shut out of negotiations to supply 1990 merchandise, according to the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. The executive director of the Chamber, Mr lan Shrimpton, said that of 21 firms licensed to manufacture 1990 products, only one, an Ashburton kite-maker, came from the South Island.

With the exception of two Wellington firms, the rest of the licences were awarded in Auckland, he said. The chamber had not been advised, on behalf of its members, to put forward proposals for licensed products, some of which would be “retirement plans,” Mr Shrimpton said. His concerns were raised at a meeting of tourism representatives called yesterday to discuss the World Youth Festival planned for Christchurch next year.

Mr Shrimpton said he would like to see sponsorship and merchandising for the event “locked” into the South Island. The 1990 Commission’s South Island regional co-ordinator, Ms Devon Hotop, said her office was concerned about the Auckland

“bias” and that people involved in 1990 projects locally may have to order merchandise from North Island firms.

Ms Hotop said 1990 community committees hoping to raise funds by selling the merchandise might

encounter local supply problems, as they would deal with manufacturers direct. 1990’s director of communications, Mr Geoff Wayne, said it was “arrant nonsense” to suggest South Island firms were the victims of discrimination.

All firms had the opportunity to support the sponsorship and merchandise licensing programmes, he said. Unlike the publicity for the Commonwealth Games, the programmes were not placed entirely in independent hands. Some firms approached the commission, while in other cases the commission made the approaches itself, he said.

Some South Island firms interviewed had turned down offers to get involved. The commission was still seeking licensees in some areas and wanted firms to get in touch, he said.

The commission had been seeking licensees since last October, mainly from its Auckland office. They paid a minimum royalty which went towards further 1990 projects, Mr Wayne said.