CITY MARKETS,

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 4, 5 July 1910, Page 5

CITY MARKETS,

FOR FISH AND FRUIT. MUNICIPAL CONFERENCE FAVOURS ESTABLISHMENT. The question of municipal markets is b natural one for a municipal conference to discuss, and to-day the subject came before the present conference in remits from Christchurch, moved by Mr. Allison, Mayor of that city, as follows :—: — That where municipal markets are established in boroughs of not less than 10,000 inhabitants, all wholesale sales of fish and fruit shall be held in such markets. , That where municipal markets are established, all fresh fish shall pass through such markets for inspection before being exposed for sale. The mover referred particularly to the- state of fish exposed for sale privately and in private markets, which jwas not always all that could be deBired. There was not the same publicity, and possibility and facility for inspection. Another delegate moved the addition of vegetables to fruit and fish. This amendment was opposed by a speaker, who did not regard vegetables as coming under the same category as fruit and fish. Mr J. A. Millar (Hastings) strongly opposed the motion, on the ground that it would injuriously affect large firms, ,who had established proper buildings for markets in an up-to-date manner. The amendment to add "vegetables" to "fruit and fish" was rejected. Mr. E. Page (Eketahuna) objected to the first motion, as conferring too full a monopoly on the wholesale dealing of municipal markets. Mr. J. Wilson (Dunedin) suggested they should be content to deal with fish at first, as being the prime necessity. FOR THE COMMON GOOD. Mr. John Barr (Sumner) could not Understand any opposition to the motion, which would do away with the corruption of the present system. Again, the municipal authorities, should have a complete supervision over the sale of fish and fruit. Inspection would be simplified when the sales were centralised. The auctioneer could go to the municipal markets, as well as sell in his own buildings. It would do away with the present rings. The whole motion was entirely in favour of the common good in the matter of the wholesomeness and price of the food. Fish — not owing to acarcity, buf owing to the way in which it was sold, had become an absolute luxury. In the case of a market actually established the caretaker might also be an inspector. Mr. Thos. Pettit (Nelson) argued on behalf of the fruit industry, which was seriously handicapped and hampered' by the present system of private sales. The •way in which fruit was disposed of was most unfair. The grower had simply to sacrifice his produce. At the same time, the consumer had to pay six or aeven times the once the producer got. It was a question which affected the- masses of people, and the most important one that a municipal conference could discuss. (Hear, hear.) VTHE NATUBE OF THINGS." Mr. A. H Hiudmarsh (Wellington) pointed out that it was impossible to • oreyerit injury being done to private individuals engaged in the produce auction trade* The trams had rtuned many cabmen, and many private abattoirs had to be closed up at the coming of the abattoirs ; "you can't help it," said Mr. Hindmarsh, "it i& the nature of things." Fruit and vegetables were very dear in .Wellington. There was a monopoly in the sale of fruit. Nearly every Australian State had its municipal markets In Wellington every proposal to establish municipal niarkets was opposed by people in the interest of private markets. But people would be encouraged to send their truit and produce here in thn event of the establishment of municipal markets, with proper supervision. Mr. L. J. Ba<rnall (Auckland 1 ) opposed the motion on the grounds of public expediency. The' markets in Australia Bad mot been a success. Mr. Hindmarsh : They were established in the wrong place Mr. \V. J. Holdsworth (Grey Lynn) asked how they could reconcile the two Arguments in favour of mur^pipal markets — one, that the producer would get a, better price for his fruit; the other, that the consumer would get his fruit cheaper. After all, the whole question tvarf determined by the law of supply and demand, and municipal markets could not overcome that. He suggested that the Government might assume control over the fish industry, as they had done in the case of the oyster business. At the same time, he would support any motion making for the better inspection of fish. A delegate: What is proposed to be fbne with the fish that is not fresh? (Laughter.) Both motions were adopted by considerable majorities on che voices.