CANNED FISH

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22198, 7 December 1946, Page 5

CANNED FISH

CAUSE OF SHORTAGE IMPORTERS' VERSION (P.A.) AUCKLAND. Dec. G. The Government's contention that greater qauntities of canner fish cannot be imported because the fish is needed for starving Europe has no basis in fact, according to Auckland importers. They say that for the last three years they have been trying to secure licenses to import canned fish, but the Government has repeatedly refused lo grant them. Recently a leading Norwegian firm offered 25,000 cases of sardines, but the Government refused to grant an import license, one Auckland importer said today. . ~ He received a communication lrom the Norwegian firm stating that, outside Britain and the United States, allocations of sardines had been made as follows: Canada, 25,000 tons; Australia. 17.000 tons; Switzerland and Belgium. each 5000 tons. “It is regrettable that New Zealand has probably taken up the matter too late,” the communication stales. "Better luck next time. We hope New Zealand will get a move on early enough to be in on next year’s production, provided the system of allocation is still kept up.” Tire Auckland importer commented that if the Government had applied early enough it would have received its full allocation.