CHEAPER FISH

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 254, 27 October 1939, Page 5

CHEAPER FISH

REDUCTION IN PRICES LOCAL RETAILERS’ ACT FURTHER DROP EXPECTED AUCKLAND, Oct. 25. The Auckland branch of the Dominion Fish Retailers’ Federation de- ; elded last night to make substantial ! reductions in the price of certain varieties of fish. The new prices, which will operate from October 30, are: -Whole schnapper, reduced from 6d to 5d per lb.; whole terikihi, from 6d to 5d.; 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 wifi he made very shortly by retailers throughout New Zealand. Saving Public. The president of the branch, Mr. C. 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 hundred-pound baskets of schnapper were sold through retail shops each week. “We consider the lower prices have | been made possible because of the de- ' gree of security obtained under the l . 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 Mr. Matthew. There was a large attendance of I members at the meeting of the branch. Those present expressed strong disapproval of recent suggestions that bringing the fishing industry under the Industrial Efficiency Act 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 industrj-. Reference to the levy stated to have been imposed on retailers to meet the > cost of 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 of the Seamen’s Union.