Canning Industry
p. 43 · Read in the full issue
Possible In N.G.
From a Rabaul Correspondent Vhile Territories Minister Hasluck the one hand advises Territorians ‘make friends” with the indigenous pie as a means of ensuring urity of their investments —a ious sidestepping of the urgent stion in the minds of all who e invested in the Territory— ther body is busily investigating v it can interest new investors. 3E recent visit of Mr. John van der Muelen, lecturer in agri ;ural marketing at New England iversity, Armidale, NSW, is a 2 in point.
Vhile in the Territory Mr. van Muelen has made wide and lied observations on the market and distribution of fish, visiting turn Port Moresby, Eastern and stern Highlands, Samarai, Lae, iruku, Rabaul, Wewak, Madang 1 Daru. travelling under a grant provided the Rural Credits Development id, which in turn is administered the Reserve Bank, Mr. van der lelen said that he would furnish report on his findings and this ort would be available to all nested parties. (See PIM, Mar., 123).
This Territory imports half a million pounds worth of fish annually —while its coasts abound in quality canning fish.
Mr. van der Muelen envisages a canned fish industry for New Guinea providing capital is forthcoming for trawlers and plant. Papuan crayfish and barramundi could find a market in Australia, he said.
Native consumption of cheap canned fish could be redirected to a liking for locally smoked fish, Mr. van der Muelen said. Natives could be taught to smoke catches from
their own coastal waters, using copra dryers to smoke them.
It goes without saying that the fishing industry has untried potential in the Territory—as elsewhere in the Islands. BSIP has already taken its first steps in organising the industry by its purchase of the 45 ft trawler San Juanita. This was a Govern ment purchase.
Territorians will wonder what assurances of stability will be given any private concern which may be interested in starting a fishing in dustry here.
J. van der Muelen, marketing expert, foresees a profitable future for a fishing industry in New Guinea.