ROCK OYSTERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23073, 25 June 1938, Page 14

ROCK OYSTERS

SUPPLY NEXT WEEK WHOLESALE PRICE RISES NO INCREASE IN SHOPS . Increases on last year of 2s 6d a sack and 6d a sugar bag in the wholesale price of rock oysters will be charged when the Government oyster depot in Auckland opens' for the season next Wednesday. It is stated that retailers will carry the additional cost and will adhere to last year's prices. Very heavy reproduction of rock oysters occurred during the recent long warm summer and the opening of the season has consequently been delayed about a month later than usual. The season will last for about 12 weeks and it is expected that about 5000 sacks will be marketed at the depot during that period. Tickers started work on Juno 15 and are operating on all beds, these including the Bay of Islands, Kaipara, Whangarei, Great Barrier, Coroinandel and local areas. There are indications that the oysters will be of considerably better quality than they have been in the past two or three yeare. Higher Cost ol Picking The schedule of wholesale prices to operate during the season is as follows, the increase over last year being given in parentheses: —Sacks, ex depot, 27s 6d (2s 6d); sacks, ex beds, 26s 6d (2s 6d); sacks, f.o.r. and f.0.b., Auckland, 28s 6d (2s 6d); sugar bags, f.o.r. and f.o.b. Auckland, 6s 6d (6d); sugar bags, ex depot, 6s (6d); paper bags, ex depot, Is (no change). The higher prices are attributed to a variety of reasons concerned with the employment of the pickers. The Marine Department is paying the men an additional Is 3d a sack, making 9s 3d, compared, with the former payment of Bs. In other years the men have had to provide their own tools, transport and accommodation, but the department is now meeting practically the whole of these costs. The Retail Bates Boats fitted with bunks and other facilities, or barges carrying sheds for living quarters, are being provided for transport and accommodation at the beds. Where pickers elect to use their own boats or desire to live ashore in tents payments are being made by the department. Each man is also being given two picks, each valued at 6s, at the department's expense. A member of the executive of the Auckland Fish Retailers' Association said last night that his association had already considered the increases and it has been agreed that last year's price schedule should be adhered to. No alteration would be made in the quantity sold in bottles across the counter and the prices would again be Is 6d, 2s and 2s 6d, according to the size of the container.