THE PRICE OF FISH
(To the Editor.) Sir, —Your correspondent "Wake Up, New Zealanders," who complains cf ! the high price of fish, is rather inconsistent. In one place he complains because '"the fresh palatable fish we used to g^t" is now unobtainable (according to him), yet a littl* further on lie complains against the very steps that have been taken to overcome that complaint, i.e., the abolition of restrictions on the taking of crayfish. Now for a fresh, palatable fish the "cray" would be hard to beat. Unlike other fish, it can be kept alive until ready for cook- | ing. It is rich in nutritive content and is a good specimen of the class of sea food that contributed to the fine physique and wonderful teeth of the primitive Maori. Any steps that provide a greater abundance of crayfish for general consumption are to be commended, not condemned.— l am, etc., LOBSTER POT. A correspondent, "Old-time Fisherman," also writes regarding the prices charged for fish. As a fisherman for over fifty years, the correspondent points out that crayfish are now mostly sold by auction, and realise from 37s to £3 per oyster sack. The correspondent knows of one firm that sold two sacks at the latter price and made Is 6d profit. The fact that the spawning of crayfish is about, over for the season is mentioned by "Old-time Fisherman," who gives as the reason for the high price of the fish the different mode of fishing for them. Each launch has 15 to 20 baskets, costing about 30s each, and a boat is worth about £800, so it is seen that a lot of money is put into the outfit. The baskets are left in the water day and night; sometimes the lot is lost in a heavy sea. The old-time method, according to the correspondent, was with hoop pots, which lasted from September to Christmas—a very much cheaper way of fishing. The difficulty experienced by country residents in purchasing fish is mentioned by "A New Zealander," who writes in appreciation of "Wake Up, New Zealanders" in drawing attention to the high price charged to customers. The correspondent also asks when an investigation is to commence into the incidence of goitre in New Zealand and its relation to fish. vt. is pointed out that in Shetland the growth is almost unknown. The cause, in the opinion of "A New Zealander," is diet. Many people are unable to pay for surgical skill when they have the growth developed, and many are unable to pay the high price for fish as a preventative. In the opinion of "A New Zealander," it is time this was taken up seriously.
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 44, 20 August 1941, Page 6
Word Count
447THE PRICE OF FISH Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 44, 20 August 1941, Page 6
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