PRICES DEFENDED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 135, 9 June 1945, Page 8

PRICES DEFENDED

SOUTH ISLAND FISH

TRIBUNAL'S STATEMENT

Christchurch, Dunedin, and Oamaru fish price orders, in protest against which southern fishermen are not operating their boats and retailers are not selling fish, are defended in a statement by the Price Tribunal, which says that the prices were fixed only after discussions with fishermen and vendors and after full investiga-

tion of the factors involved,

Prices for fish in the South Island, it was stated, had long been the subject of general complaints, and the tribunal had acted to bring the southern prices into line with those fixed for Auckland four years ago arid Wellington two years ago, but having regard ,to local conditions. "The South Island price orders now restore prices for all concerned — fishermen, vendors, and consumers— to reasonable and equitable levels," the statement continues. "The 50 per cent, margin allowed to retailers in these price orders is precisely the same as the margin under which retailers in Auck r land have operated successfully, for four years. It is the same as the margin permitted in Wellington. -The fishermen's prices under the new.price orders are also in line with those received by fishermen working , under the Auckland and Wellington fish price orders. "All relevant aspects of the fish industry and of the processes involved in the sale of fish have been the subject of thorough investigation, in the course of which there have been a number of discussions with the fishermen.

"The Price Tribunal gives an assurance that if any evidence can be produced to it to show that any part of the price order is unjust to the parties concerned, then the order will be amended in the light of that evidence."

The Canterbury Trades Council and the Otago Labour Representation Committees have written the Minister of Supply (Mr. Sullivan) congratulating the Price Tribunal for its action, the Otago committee stating that it was recommending fishermen to recommence work immediately.