FISH VERSUS MEAT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15829, 28 January 1915, Page 9

FISH VERSUS MEAT.

CHEAPER FOOD SUPPLY.

THE TRAWLING QUESTION.

VIEWS OF THE MAYOR

In view of the high price of meat, and the plentiful supply of fish in the waters oi the Auckland district and elsewhere, within easy reach of the city, the opinion has been expressed that citizens might well go in for a more generous fish-diet. The question has arisen, in this connection, as to whether the present restrictions ">p r trawling should not be removed, in order to enable fish-supplies to be increased. Some opinions on the subject were obtained yesterday.

The Mayor, in reply to a question or the matter, said that his policy had always been to give the fishermen a fair chanee. If, however, they should be unable to supply the wants of the community of 115,000 people, at a reasonable price, there, would be no other course open for the future than trawling. The Government many years ago drove the trawlers out of the Hauraki Gulf by regu- I lations framed to protect the Thames fishermen. No one wanted to force trie fishermen out of business, and personally he would very much regret to see any body of men thrown out of employment. Still the interests of not only the citizens of Auckland, but of the province, who could be supplied with fish, demanded consideration. The City Council would give the fishermen every fair chance at the city fish-market. Up to the present fair supplies had been brought in, but this market was only in its infancy, and the fish business should grow into one of the largest businesses in New Zealand. I Bay of Plenty Supplies. The Bay of Plenty was teeming with splendid fish, of many varieties, so, .Mr. I Pair said, he had been informed by Professor Prince, the Canadian expert, who reported on the New Zealand fisheries some months ago. There was no reason why fish should not be secured in such quantities in Auckland that some might bo cured for export. The present fishmarket was intended as an experiment during the war, with the view of keeping down the price of fish. It was fulfilling its duty, and had convinced the most sceptical that the fish business was worth taking in hand on a larger scale and in a more vigorous fasliion. Two of the ob- : jects of the effort being made by the council to secure the advice of" Mr. Breden, controller of the Sydnev markets, were how best to catch fish, "and howbest to distribute it. " Instead of being one of the dearest foods, as it has been in the past, fish, which simply has to be caught, and not purchased from any owner as with beef and mutton, ought to be in every household, at half the price of meat," concluded the Mayor. Where the Fish are Caught. That fish would make a very satisfactory substitute, or partial substitute, for the daily meat is indisputable up to a certain point, but the question arises : Are the present methods of fishing in the gulf capable of such extension as would meet a greatly increased demand? Even now the demand is frequently greater than the supply. Most of the "school" fish is caught between Tiri Tiri and the Noisies, and the long line boats go along Waiheke and other foreshore places. One line is stated to contain about 2500 hooks. One authority, who was interviewed bv a Herald representative, expressed himself as being very strongly opposed to trawling. Not only did it mean the destruc- , . ,*■ «« ffocati of the small and unsalable fish, but in time the spawning beds would be seriously interfered with" to the detriment of all concerned " What you want," he added, -is bigger boats more men, and more lines. The verv small boats have to run for shelter when the wind blows. Or. an average there are two men in each boat, but if there were four men in larger boats the catches would be far more satisfactory, and the public demand would be met to a far greater extent. .. . ° Fair supplies have been reaching the Municipal Fish Depot latelv. On Friday last nearly a ton of smoked fish was disposed of and a good deal was sold vesterday- The good quality of the smoked fish is highly appreciated. Last week, about 900 bundles were received at the depot.