FISH INDUSTRY.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17874, 6 February 1928, Page 5

FISH INDUSTRY.

■ IN AVELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, February 3. According to a :statement by the Alinister, the Hon. A. D l . McLeod, the Department of Industries and Commerce has practically completed investigations into the fish industry in AVellington. “it was demonstrated beyond question.,” said Mr M’Leod, “t-bat for various reasons the public of AAffdlington are not large ooueumei’s of fish, and that the trade has never been organised in .such a way as either to encourage or to deal with a heavy demand' from the public. Aloreover, the purchasing public demand a high level ot retailing service, ami, in conjunction with the perishable nature of the commodity, those factors tend to make Dudistributing costs l inch higher than would be necessary if the trade were organised on a quantity basis, and with less necessity for a high-grade distribut’ng service. 1 ' The evidence showed that there was financial interlocking and control in regard to both tho' purchase of fish and in the selling prices, and that it was clear that the public would benefit by a greater element of coinpei.it on. dr Department had had several meetings with interested parties, and these h.iu resulted in tlm whole position being reviewed. AdverDsomeVi Is bad appealed to the effect that a F.eneial reduction had been made in the prico as from February L .

The position could be maintained onlv if the public showed their uppveci ation of Die reductions by buying more fish and if the supplies wore not unduly interfered with by bad weather.