REGULATIONS BUT NO FISH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 8 June 1945, Page 5

REGULATIONS BUT NO FISH

SITUATION IN CHRISTCHURCH Christchurch, June 7. An attempt to end the situation which has resulted in a complete absence of fish from the Christchurch market since the price order came into effect this week was decided on this evening by the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Council. It was decided to Set in touch with the fishermen, wholesalers and retailers to see if any solution could be found. “If it were a choice between fish and no regulations or regulations and no fish, I think I know which I would choose,” said Mr A. M. Hollander. He said the absence of flsh had come at a time when rationing had begun in earnest The chamber should have the interests of consumers at heart. Many depended on fish very considerably. It was hard for them to have supplies cut off because the Government had brought down regulations which, instead of providing more and cheaper fish as was intended, meant no fish at all. All Lucy had were the regulations telling them how cheap was the fish they could net buy.

Mr R. V. White said there had possibly been a case for the Government to deal with, because fish had been scarce and dear. The order fixed monstrously lew prices for the fishermen, who could not carry on with ;he present high lsvel of wages and costs of material and conditioning of boats. He thought the market might be left absolutely free, so that anyone could take fish out of the sea and sell it. HOLD-UP CONTINUES IN DUNEDIN Dunedin, June 7. The fish hold-up situation is unchanged, with the boats idle and fishmongers closed. A combined meeting of fishermen and retailers adopted the following resolution: “This meeting emphatically repudiates the statements of the Minister of Industries and Commerce, and is not prepared to operate the price order till a full inquiry is held in Dunedin by a local committee in conjunction with all sections of the trade. At this inquiry documentary evidence will be submitted proving the order to be impracticable and uneconomic. The fishermen and retailers in no circumstances will operate till this inquiry takes place.—P.A.