FIRM HAD TO STOP SALES OF FISH

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29772, 15 March 1962, Page 11

FIRM HAD TO STOP SALES OF FISH

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON. March 14. The food controller of a chain store organisation (Mr I. I. Phillips) told the Parliamentary Committee on the Fishing Industry today that his firm had been forced to discontinue retailing fresh fish in Wellington in January, 1961, because stocks had been withheld by wholesalers and/or fishermen when it was known they were required for sale by the company.

The weather at the time had been bad for fishing, Mr Phillips said. Until wholesalers and fishermen could sell on a free market uninfluenced by what appeared to be the activities of wholesale and retail price rings, there appeared to be little chance of offering supplies at improved prices. Mr Phillips said. “While the present licensing system is aimed at conservation, undoubtedly it has had a pa railed effect of tending to create monopoly conditions which in turn permit the operation of price rings

and restricted supply groups,” he said. A programme to increase consumption would bring about a desirable need to increase the number of steam vessels engaged, as against motor vessels with restricted areas of operation and capacity. This would improve handling methods by facilitating the continuous refrigeration of the fish, essential to hygiene, Mr Phillips said. Questioned by Mr R. J. Muldoon (Government, Tamaki), Mr Phillips said he was prepared to give the chairman the name of the Wellington organisation which he alleged had prevented the firm from obtaining fish supplies. Replying to other questions, Mr Phillips said his organisation did not contemplate catching its own fish.

Mr N. E. Kirk (Opposition, Lyttelton) asked Mr Phillips why the firm had not instituted proceedings under the Trade Practices Act against price rings.

Mr Phillips said he would prefer not to answer the question and the committee’s chairman, Mr W. J. Scott (Government, Rodney), ruled the question out of order.