THE FISHING INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18949, 21 February 1925, Page 10

THE FISHING INDUSTRY.

SANFORDS' NEW WORKS. OPENING BY MINISTER. AN ENTERPRISING FIRM. THE EXPANSION OF TRADE. The opening of Sanfoixl Limited's new premises in Jellicoe Street, Freeman s Bay, took place yesterday morning in the presence of about 50 representative citizens, the ceremony being performed by the Minister for Marine, the Hon. G. JAnderson. Among Iho guests were Mr. L. F. Ayson, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, Mr; J. W. Collins, secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce, Messrs. A. Bell and M. P. Savage, M.P.'s, Mr. G. C. Godfrey, secretary of the Marino Department, Mr. 11. B. Mackenzie, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, Captain H. H. Sergeant, harbourmaster, Mr. A. A. Martin, president, of. the Auckland Chamber, of Commerce, Mr. J. A. C. Alluni, president of the Industrial Association, and Mr. P. Hally, conciliation commissioner. A lengthy toast list was honoured, many matters of importance connected with the fishing industry being touched upon in the speeches. A notable feature of the latter was the tribute paid, in each instance, to the splendid pioneering work of the late Mr. A. Sanford, the " father '* of the fishing industry in Auckland. Minister's Congratulations. The Minister for Marine congratulated Hie, firm on its enterprise in establishing such complete and efficient works, and upon the breadth of vision shown in the building and designing of a factory equipped on the latest, and best, lines. He briefly reviewed the history of Sanford's, Limited, froim early daw, to the present, and as Minister for Marine, paid a high tribute to the late Mr. Sanford's initiative and tenacity in the face of almost insuperable difficult ies. The fishing industry in New Zealand, continued the Minister, was still in its infancy, and was capable of great development. The present, annual catch, valued at, £<loo,ooo, fell far short of the quantities of fish which the Dominion should consume. Auckland enjoyed the largest local fish trade of the Dominion, and it was to be hoped that by the adoption of up-to-date and efficient, methods, the price of fish would be cheapened. Professor Prince had stated that at a very moderate estimate tiic Dominion possessed 50,000 square miles of coastal fishing grounds available and accessible. He suggested that instead of 2000 people being employed in the industry the number could lie multiplied by five, if the possessors of capital seized the opportunity for profitable enterprise. The Question of Prices. The, position with regard to the supplying of fish food to the public was not very satisfactory, continued the Minister. The price of fish in the retail shop was so high that, fish, which was undoubtedly plentiful in New Zealand waters, was almost a luxury. Many classes of fishing were fn operation, ranging from the line fisherman to the trawler. It, seemed pretty certain that, the older methods could not. supply the market, and that the newer methods, subject to some restrictions as to waters in which they might fish, must he relied cn to maintain the bulk supply. The matter of Hie export of fish to Australia was also touched upon by Mr. Anderson, who mentioned the fact that at present there was no supervision in the matter of grading. Recent investigations went to show that while some exporters —he hoped the great, majority—sent, their fish away in good condition, others took little or no pair.s to ensure that it would arrive at its destination in the same state. The careless exporter thus prejudiced the market for tho good exporter, and damaged the reputation which New Zealand exported lish should have. The possibility of oxport trade was particularly encouraging ju the fishing industry, and in his capacity as Minister for Industries and Commerce. he said his department would do everything possible to assist, Sanford, Limited, in the marketing side of its business. Australia offered New Zealand a great potential market for fresh fish preserved In- cold process. She imported on an averago over £120.000 worth, about half of which was apparently supplied from New Zealand. In view of its geographical position, and of the quality of fish available, as compared with other exporting countries, there was no reason why practically the whole of this trade should not be captured by New Zealand merchants. The Minister concluded by wishing Sanford. Limited, an era of increased prosperity, and the success which their enterprise warranted. Plentiful Supplies, Tn congratulating the firm on the opening of so fine a building and plant, Mr. Mackenzie said the Harbour Board had developed thai end of the harbour for the use of trawlers, which would be able to berth right, opposite the new works. Auckland possessed a splendid fish supply and there was ample room for the development of the industry to twice its present size. Mr. Martin said the, Chamber of Commerce was out to foster all industries, and the development of the fishing industry. as demonstrated in the completion of such well-equipped modern works, was one of the finest examples of industrial progress met with for many years-. Auckland waters were teeming with fish, and the prospects for the extension of the export trade were excellent. The price of fish was criticised by I\li. Savage, who spoke, of the importance of developing tho home market for all that New Ztpland could produce or manufacture. , , C Mr. Bell described the local supply id fish as practically inexhaustible. For 250 miles up cither coast, there were fishing beds almost untouched. He himself would do all lie could, both in and out, of Parliament, to assist those engaged in a most important enterprise. Trade With the East. The opening up of a fish export trade with Eastern markets was advocated hv Mr .1 H. Bradnev, who said many kinds of Vis.ii that were not used for food purposes here, would be welcomed in the Fast. 'I lie market could not be. developed if the industry were handicapped by heavy overhead "charges, however. He would like to see the salt water fishing industry so encouraged that Now Zealand could poui fish, into the. Eastern markets. There was no scarcity of fish in Auckland waters, and the taking of ten thousand tons was no more 1 than the taking of a bucketful of water from the ocean. Mr. C. R. Smith, the supervising engineer, and Messrs. W. Phileox and Son, contractors, we re congratulated on the erection and equipment of the building, a special tribute being paid to the contractors for the speed and efficiency shown in carrying out the job, which had been completed ahead of contract time. Mr. Gilbert Sanford. who resounded fo the toast of "Tho Company," cordially thanked all present for their interest and for the. good wishes expressed. He particularly* thanked the Minister for Marino for the assistance he had given to the industry. Tho new building, which had been erected in accordance with the latest ideas, gleaned by the speaker in a recent world-tour, represented the hearty cooperation of all concerned. The thanks of the company were due to the Harbour Board for tho facilities it, had given for the sale of fish, and to Mr. Ayson, who had helped to bring the industry up to its present state of prosperity, and who had seen to it that, progress was not hampered by too many restrictions. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman, Mr. M. Deighton, proposed by the Minister for Murine, and carried with acclamation.