TINNED FISH FOR N.Z.

Chronicle (Levin), 4 December 1946, Page 7

TINNED FISH FOR N.Z.

-Press Association

ALLOCATION OF 600 TONS

Rv Telearanh—

WELLINGTON, Dee.13. Cabled adviee has been received that the International Emergency Food Council in Wasliington has alloeated 0U0 tons of canned iish to New Zealand for the year ending June 30, 1947, stated the Minister of Supply, Hon. D. Sulhvan, today. The alloeation comprises 50 tons of salmon, 50 tons sardines and 300 tons of herrings from Canada, 100 tons of herrings from United Kingdom and 100 tons of .sardines froiu Portugai. "It was unfortunate, " said Mr. fclnllivan, "that the International Emergency Food Council had been unable to allocate more than 50 tons of salmon. The eonibined United States and Canadian salmon paek is below- expectation and it is very unlikely that further supplies will be available until the hext packing season. " Mr. Sullivan also stated that as United Kingdom and Norwegian manufacturers were extremely auxious to revive trade with New Zealand, it was unfortunate that only 100 tons of herrings had been alloeated from United Kingdom and that there was no alloeation of sardines from Norway. However, New Zealand, as a member of tlie International Emergency Food Council, must abide by the deeisions of the Council.

Supplementing Mr. Sullivan's statement the Minister of Customs (Hon. W. Nash) said this evening that a limited quantity of canned lish comprising herrings from the United Kingdom and Canada, salmon from Canada and sardines from Canada and Portugal had been alloeated to New Zealand by the International Emergency Food Oommittee. Collectors of Customs had been supplied with instruetions that would enable them to grant lieenees to regular importers of sueh goods. "The question of whetlier New Zealand should request an alloeation has given the Government some eoneern, said Mr. Nash. "It may be reeaUed that in answer to a question in the House of Rej>resentatives the Aeting Minister o^ Customs (Hon. A. H. Nord meyer) stated in July last that we had advised the High Commissioner in London that in view of the urgent deinand for foodstuffs in the United Kingdom and otlier eountries and the favourable position of New Zealand eompared witli sueh eountries it was eonsidered no re quest should be made in the meantinio by New Zealand for an alloeation of canned lish. The London Food Cominittee were advised by the High Commissioner of that deeision and expressed their keen appreciution of our attitude in foregoing an alloeation in the interests of more needy eustomers. "I am sure the deeision not to request an alloeation in the interests of more needy eountries will meet with the approbation of the people of New Zealand who have a ready appreciation of tlie hardships suffered during the reeent years by their kith and kin in the United Kingdom and of the fortunate position in whieh we are plaeed in rogard to food as eompared with the British and Continental people." Subsequently it appeared likely that Canada would have a surplus after her domestie requirements and the needs of otlier eountries had been inet, and it was indic'ated to us that the International Emergency Food CommiLteei would be prepared to consider a reijuest for au alloeation. As a result of nego- 1 tiations we- have been alloeated supplies as indicated above. "Btatenients by mereliants in New Zealand that quantities of canned lisli were being oll'ered to them by paekers in the United Kingdom were brought to the notiee of the United Kingdom authorities some weeks ngo and we were advised that in the abscnce of an alloeation we should rei'use applica tions for import lieenees jnst as u|>plieations for a lieenee to export them from the United Kingdom was bding refused. At the saine time it was made elear to us that there was iio short age of canned herrings in the United Kingdom and that the Ministry of Food would be prepared to consider a token alloeation if the International' Emergency Food Committee approved. "