FISH AUCTION

Grey River Argus, 12 March 1940, Page 4

FISH AUCTION

DUNEDIN DISPUTE. DUNEDIN, March 11. The local’ fishing industry refused, at a meeting held on Saturday night, to accept the ultimatum from Mr Picot, Director of Marketing, that the auction market must cease, and a system of fixed prices must be instituted. This decision was conveyed Uy Mr Sheed, member of the Fish Advisory Committee, who refused to discuss anything except the amounts for the system of fixed prices. One speaker, who stated he was satisfied that the Government would not interfere with the auction system, despite Mr Picot, asked why, since the retailers and producers were asked to evolve an efficient system, their decision had not been forwarded to the Controller by the Advistory Committee. Mr Shqed replied that the decision was not unanimous. It was ultimately resolved: “In view of the satisfactory arrangement between fishermen, wholesalers, and retailers, embodying the system of fixed prices on a full market, and the auction system on a scarce market, this meeting respectively declines to enter into any discussion which would alter the system, until it has had a fair trial.”