FISH INDUSTRY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23487, 26 October 1939, Page 9

FISH INDUSTRY

LICENSING SCHEME all branches covered SCALE OF .FEES FIXED Every branch of the fish industry in New Zealand must now be licensed by tho Bureau of Industry, and regulations to bring licence fees into operation on January 1 next are now being prepared by the Government. Those already associated with the industry have been licensed since September 28, and any new member will be required to make J application for a licence before November 1. Annual licence fees will be charged as follows: —Fishermen, 10s; exporters, £1; retailers, £2; wholesalers, £lO, £2O or £3O, according to the amount of fish handled. One of the main effects of the regulations, it is stated, will be to prevent anyone from entering into any branch of the fish industry without first obtaining permission from the Bureau of Industry. Over 400 retailers throughout New Zealand will be affected, including about 85 in Auckland. According to a member of tho Dominion Fish Retailers' Federation, the move by the Government has been made in response to a united request to tho Minister of Industries and Commerce, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan. He was approached by a deputation of wholesalers, retailers, fishermen and exporters in August, when it was suggested that the industry was in need of reorganisation, and an assurance was given that all sections would co-operate to reduce the price of fish.