FISH O!

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 28, 1 February 1913, Page 10

FISH O!

1 (To the Editor.) Sir. —I notice '■R. 8." ie again at it with his pen instead of doing something practical. \I the profits in the fieh trade are co big, why doee he not get come friendß to start in opposition or put hie ovrn money in it and by fair competition bring prices down? I may inform "Rjß." that m> far as I know there is no arrangement to limit the supply of fish. The -wlioleeale dealPTe order about the quantity they expect to require for their trade, and, co faT ac Sanford, Limited, is concerned, the fishermen can catch all they require for their trade. The price we pay ie 3/ a boat bundle. The number of fish of largest size ie four, or fld each fish, uncleaned at the boats. The next ei/.e go six fieh to the bundle; the smaller ones go 8, 10, 12, 14, and at times 11> fieh, if too small for 6moking. diving the public this information will not bring down the price of fish, which, of couree. is regulated by the demand. The fish, like every commodity, tfinds itt> way to the markets where the highest prices can be •obtained, hence we find Thiunes fish arc* sent to Wellington and inland markets which did not exist a few yeare ago. I have no doubt that the waters "at our doors" are now producing ac many fieh to the square mile ac thirty or forty years ago. But to eatiefy the demand we must draw from longer distances. Very few fish come to Auckland from Thamcß, ac there ie a demand for thonRands of dozens daily from towns and cities served by rail from Thames at prices higher i.han obtainable in Auckland. It ie my opinion that fish will npver he any cheaper in Auckland than at present, no matter how many markets are erected. whilr mcii can enrn 10/ a day on land and no improvement made in methods of catching £«h.- -T nm. etc., a. sa:stord. (To the Editor.! Sir, —T ajn much amueed at the letter appe.Tirinsr in your paper last evening under the heading of "Fish O," and eigrred I notice "R_B." is careful enough to say "if" such a combine exists between vendors and suppliers it ie high time" it waft smashed up by some just means, so that the people may be able to get cheaper fish. Now, Sir. the fact ,of ,r R.B." ueing the word "if" ie proof enough that he is i>ot sure whether a combine e.xWts or not; and I would like to inform "R. 8.," for satisfaction's sake, that no such combine does exist. 1 also maintain. Sir, that considering circumstances, etc.. fishermen are not paid too highly for their fieh. I also contend that the percentage of profit gained by fhe dealers is not co much ac the public are led to think, and I fail to ccc the advantage afforded the public hy having a municipal market, as frah comparefa.vouxably in price under the present «yetejn ac in any place whpre n mmiieipal market is to he found.—T am. etc., J. .H. DKTOHTOX, Spc. Auckland Fishcurcrs , Unfon.