EXPORT OF FISH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22859, 14 October 1937, Page 16

EXPORT OF FISH

AUCKLAND SUPPLIES CONTROL BY COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT ANNOUNCED [by telegraph —special hei'oiiteu] WELLINGTON, Wednesday A committee to control the export and overseas marketing of Auckland fish has been appointed by the Government. This step is regarded as a temporary measure to meet a position calling for urgent action and the appointment of the committee was made after full discussions between representatives of the fishing industry, the Bureau of Industry and the Sea Fisheries Investigation Committee, of which Mr. J. Thorn, M.P. for Thames, is chairman.

The personnel of the Auckland I<ish Export Conftnitteo is as follows: —Mr. R. E. Price, Conciliation Commissioner, chairman, Mr,. E. W. J. Bowden, Auckland district officer of the Department of Industries and Commerce; and Messrs. J. Enwright, A. F. Bow, S. Vella, E. Middleton and T. Anderson, representatives of those engaged in the industry. In announcing the Government s decision to-day, the Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, said that at the end of last year an arrangement was entered into by the Auckland exporting firms, whereby all fish exports from the district to Australia should be handled by one firm. However, this arrangement had not proved altogether satisfactory. The whole matter would bo reviewed when the Sea Fisheries Investigation Committee presented its report dealing with all phases of the industry, Mr. Sullivan continued, but meanwhile the Bureau of Industry, which issued exporting licences, would work in the closest possible collaboration with the Auckland committee.

Prior to tho official appointment of the committee, which now places it on a definite footing, tho members, with tho exception of Mr. Anderson, began work on September 17. Sinco then complete control has been assumed of the export of fish from Auckland to Australia, together with all stocks held in store in Svdney and export stocks in Auckland. A plan was adopted to deal with accumulated stocks, which threatened to imperil the industry by a serious curtailment of the activities of tho various fishing fleets operating from Auckland and near ports. Efforts are being made to obtain the co-operation of exporting firms in.New Zealand and the wholesalers in Australia, with a view to safeguarding the interests ot all concerned. A goodwill delegation iocently left for Sydney and Melbourne to explain the plans agreed upon by the committco to overcome the present difficulties.