DUNEDIN FISH SUPPLY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20004, 22 January 1927, Page 19

DUNEDIN FISH SUPPLY.

ro THE EDITOB. Sir, —I have read with much interest the Hon. G. M. Thomson’s letter on the above subject in this mornings Daily Times. His scheme is a good one, but too ambitious in our present-day circum- ! stances, and therefore likely to be shelved I indefinitely. Something more modest I ought to be attempted meantime, so that i fish can be made available to the mass !of the people. As things are, fish is i largely a luxury, and hence consumed only by°a limited number. , When I was a member of the City Council some years ago Mr Thomson, Mr Hayward, and myself thrashed out this : question. We also visited Port ChalI mers and discussed the matter with a numi her of fishermen. Our labours came to naught. This was partly due to the mI difference of some of the fishermen, and I partly to finance. At that time we were i led to believe that the Dunedin housewives i would not patronise a fish market, nor I carry home their purchases. I am now I satisfied that we were misinformed, for 1 1 have frequently of late seen them purchase ' and carry home fish from a new venture | recently® started in town. I need not dilate upon fish as a food, for it is universally used, and granted its sale at a price within the means of the mass of the people, the demand would be enormous. A contrary opinion has for years been assiduously propagated in Dunedin, but I feel confident it is not genuine. A. simple form of market for fish, fruit, and vegetables is urgently required in Dunedin. Such places are general both in the British Isles and on the Continent. There the people go, make their purchases, and carry them home. If the customer wishes his purchases delivered at the home then an additional home-sending charge is made. , I am not opposed to Mr Thomson e scheme, but its financial success is problematical, and it is not likely to be supported by fishermen or fish merchants, as their numbers are too limited, while speculators and business men would look for sound returns, and so kill the proposal.— I am, etc., • Gordon Macdonald. January 20,