CHEAPER FISH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23486, 25 October 1939, Page 8

CHEAPER FISH

REDUCTION IN PRICES LOCAL RETAILERS' ACT FURTHER DROP EXPECTED DOMINION-WIDE MOVE The Auckland branch of the Dominion Fish Retailers' Federation decided last night to make substantial reductions in the price of certain varieties of.fish. The new prices, which will operate fr om October 30, are: —Whole schnapper, reduced from 6d to 5d per lb.; whole terikihi, from 6d to 3d; smoked silver' strip, from 8d to 7d; barracouta, from 8d to 7d. Further reductions in the charges for other varieties of fish are expected at an early date. It is anticipated that similar reductions will be made very shortly by retailers throughout New Zealand. Saving to Public/; The president of the branch, Mr. 0. J. Matthew, said after last night's meeting that the new rates would moan a considerable saving to the public in view of the fact that 1200 pound baskets of schnapper were sold through retail shops each week. "We consider the lower prices have been made possible because of the dejyee of security obtained under the Industrial Efficiency Act. and also through the popularising .of a larger type of fish, which has not been bought by the public in the past," .added IJr. Matthew. There was a ' large attendance <of ' members at the meeting of the branch. Those present expressed strong disapproval of recent suggestions th&t bringing the fishing industry under .the Industrial Efficiency Ace would result - in increased prices to the public. ' No Levies Collected \ The meeting expressed unanimous appreciation of the Government's action in licensing the retail section of the industry. ■ ; " Reference to the !ovy stated to have' been imposed on retailers to meet the cost of the reorganisation plan for the industry was made after the meeting by Mr. James Craig, a member of the - executive of the federation. He said the ' levy system previously suggested., had not been brought into force, and' no '<• levies had been collected from any section of the industry. The only fees were those which each individual was required to pay on joining the federation or the Seamen's Union.