CITY MARKETS

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 90, 16 April 1920, Page 10

CITY MARKETS

ADVOCATED B\ WOMEN'S

DEPUTATION

THE COUNCIL INTERVIEWED.

The interest which housewives and women generally are taking in the cost-oi-Jiving question (and the suggestions they are prepared to make) was shown in a deputation from the New Zealand National Council of Women (Wellington branch), which waited upon the City Corfucil laat evening. A number of women wore present.

■ . Miss Coad, who was the principal speaker, said that the New Zealand National Council of Women was representative of seventeen affiliated women's societies ;• the object of the deputation was to ask that fish, fruit, and vegetable markets should ba established in Wellington; and as soon ;vs possible. They suggested -markets on up-to-date .lines, such a-s were' established in Auckland, and not as they had existed in the past. It was considered that the markets would cheapen the commodities for Wellington, and so that the producer would also benefit. The cheapest fish obtainable retail was sold 'at 9d a lb. Of this amount the fishermen re ceived 4d. For some fish 44, d was paid, and the wholesale people got 9d. while the consumer paid Is. They had not come there to blame anyone, but to suggest a remedy. They desired- also to. point out that in the case of fish, when, a large catch took place, there was no reduction in prices, and she quoted from the Evening Post ii, (support-of this. It would be possible, also, to out out expensive cartage by having the fish'taken straight to the markets. It was sug.gested that a proper landing-place and cool stones should bs provided at Island Ba>. In regard to fruit and vegetables it was pointed out that a large .supply did not bring a. corresponding reduction in prices in the city. Statements had been made as to the small profits on fruit to the grower, and it was contended that the grower would benefit from the markets. At present apples were sold at 4d -a lb. Of that she understood growers were receiving Id alb. The latter said it would pay them if they received 2d a lb and the buyers could fet the fruit at 2^d a lb. Therefore, marets would be profitable to both producers and purchasers. Economy could be effected by the elimination of small shops, and the people employed would be better engaged in the markets. Miss Coad continued that the consumers would probably organist) in support of cheaper foods on the lines suggested, because they were feeling the pinch pretty severely at present. In the case of butter the producer -received Is 3d, a.nd the retailer sold at Is 6d. As for milk, the producer obtained Is 2d a gallon, and the consumer had to pay 2s a gallon. Mrs. Henderson, and Miss Magill also spoke iii support of the above statements. The latter devoted her remarks to the high retail price of ora.nges, stating that there was a "corner" .in regard to them..

The Mayor siS3tired the deputation of the interest the council had in the subject of their remarks and the views expressed. The council was not hostile to markets but desired first to know., exactly where it would stand in relation to them. (Hear, hear.) He would not. be a party to a gamble with the people's money. Sydney's experience was valuable, for much money had been spent there on markets, and not with any 'success. He thought Wellington had done better with fish markets than Auckland. In Wellington the merchants had their own markets, out of their own capital, but in Auckland the City Council had borrowed money for the purpose, and the system now adopted was identical with Wellington's. Wellington had had a most deplorable experience ' with fish markets. He had known many trawling companies become bankrupt here. It was impossible to trawl successfully in the harbour, because'there were not the fish there. It was necessary to go far out to sea, and for that special vessels were required. He would also point out that in Auckland the price of fish had gone up. A private firm had made progress in the industry, and. the- markets had gone back. If the Government would get the trawlers from Home it would help things considerably, and the city would find the purchasers. He thanked, the deputation for its interesting views. The matter was subsequently referred to the Public Health Committee.