FISH!

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 61, 5 June 1942, Page 4

FISH!

WHAKATANE'S MEAGRE SUPPLY

the; curse of monopoly

Why when, Rotorua, Tauranga and other adjacent towns have all the fish supply they require, Whlakatane is compelled to go without is surely a matter which demands more than passing interest. SMuated as we are, on the fringe of one of the finest fishing grounds in New Zealandl we are nevertheless faced with the absurd anomally of having to go without or i'n s'liort supply while other centres less favourably situated have more than sufficient.

The position is that the fish: supply to this town is governed' by the caprice of one individual who holds not merely a trawling licence, but the only wholesale license and' also a retail license as well. A community of over two thousand persions is thus rationed 1 accordingly, while other fish retailers have merely to look on, as number one watches his own interests, and sees to it that those he is supposed to regularly supply by viirtue of his licence go empity-handed. He: is therefore within the law and l nothing can be done' except to fan up sufficient' public feeling to put an emd to the unjust, inequitable farce which now masquerades! undter the name of "legal business." An instance of how far the fish monopoly can be applied was afforded recenltly when due 1 to a. breakdown an Auckland! trawler put into this port and deposed of its catch. The wholesaler immediately took full advantage of the unexpected wind 1 fall and buying up the shipment under the nose of hils fellow retailers, diverted the whole of it to his own shop. The other establish in this town; had* therefore nothing further to tell thei** customers than the old' story of 'no fish,' which they have been telling them: for three Solid l months, and! which is likely iff it continues much Donger to definitely put them; out of ' business. Is this fair or British ?