TRIBUNAL DEFIED

Evening Star, Issue 26029, 18 February 1947, Page 6

TRIBUNAL DEFIED

OYSTER PRICES INCREASED DUNEDIN FISHMONGERS' ACTION Claiming that the price allowed is not sufficient to cover mounting costs, Dunedin fishmongers have decided to sell the new season’s oysters a half-penny a dozen above the price order, in open defiance of the Price Tribunal’s ruling. Oysters which were in the shops today for the first time this year were being sold at 7d a dozen in the shell and 9d a dozen opened. The .retailers’ decision, which was made at a meeting yesterday, follows on a recent increase granted by the tribunal in the wholesale price of oysters, which was raised from 19s lid to 21s 8d a sack from February 15. On Friday the Dunedin Fish Retailers’ Association received advice from the tribunal that, in order to compensate retailers, the tribunal lihd approved of an increase in the retail price of a halfpenny. a dozen. The increase sought by the association was Id a dozen, but tiiis request wak “ deferred in the meantime.” The late reply to the retailers’ representations made it impossible for a further claim to be presented before the opening of the season, and the association then decided to increase the price by Id and to “ risk the consequences.” The ret.ailers claim that, as little increase has been made in the price for many years and costs have increased substantially, the selling of oysters is not an economic proposition at the tribunal figure. It is further asserted that the. half-penny allowed by tho tribunal covers only the increase in the wholesale price, and does not make any allowance for the retailers’ high costs.

A city fishmonger stated to the ‘ Star ’ to-day that the openers were asking 8s a sack this season. This brought the retailers’ direct .cost per sack to £1 9s Bd. With approximately 60 dozen saleable oysters in a sack, this meant that the cost' iper dozen for opened oysters was about 6d. The tribunal allows them to be. sold at Bid, and it is claimed by the retailers that the gross profit of 2£d allowed is not sufficient to cover incidental expenses. Another retailer stated that some sacks would yield only 50 dozen saleable ovsters. .

“ It is not known at the moment what action, if any, the tribunal may take. The fishmongers’ decision follows on recent action by the potato growers to disregard a tribunal order.

If the tribunal price for oysters is enforced it is probable that many

or all retailers will consider it un-

payable to continue supplying the public with oysters. -