Price Of Fish Debated

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31178, 30 September 1966, Page 14

Price Of Fish Debated

(N Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, September 29. A piece of blue cod “sufficient to feed two people” and a bright red crayfish with “an illegal five-inch tail” were shown to Parliament to illustrate a point in the half-hour adjournment debate tonight. Mr W. W. Freer (Opp., Mt. Albert) unwrapped the fisu from newspaper during his speech criticising the Government for the high prices of fish.

“I am not disputing the fact that more fish are caught today than have been caught in the past. I want to find out from the Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) what has been the gain in this commodity to the individual consumer. “The only reason more fish is not eaten in New Zealand today is because it is too dear.” Mr Freer held up a piece of smoked blue cod for the House to see. “This would make a meal for only two persons. It cost 6s 3d." “Is the Government suggesting that the ordinary family is not entitled to eat blue cod?” Mr Freer asked. A Government voice: It smells.

Mr Freer: Not as much as the member. Mr Freer then held up the crayfish. “I understand it was illegal to sell crayfish with a tail less than seven inches long. “This one is less than five inches in length. The crayfish over-all does not measure 11 inches and it cost 4s 3d.” In reply, the Under-Secre-tary of Industries and Commerce (Mr L. R. AdamsSchneider) said: “This has been rather a fishy debate tonight” He maintained that the fact that more people ate crayfish and oysters today was a sign of the present affluent society.