SALE OF FISH

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 89, 13 July 1943, Page 5

SALE OF FISH

LOCAL POSITION UNSATISFACTORY CHAMBKR OP COMMERCE DISCUSSION That the supply of fish to residents of Whakatane had. been steriously curtailed since th:e imposition of Government restrictions , and that an officer from the Ministry of Supply should be sent to investigate the present unsatisfactory position was the opinion of members of the Whakatane Chamber of Commerce when the subject came up for general discussion at the special meeting held last Thursday evening. Asked if lie could throw .some light oil the present scarcity of fish and the unsatisfactory position of supplies to- the general public,, Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., said that the matter was, a very vexed one into which many aspects entered. The bigger fishing interests had, asked the Government for the present system in order to regulate the retail trade. This would be alright if it was fairly adhered to. Then again there was a definite shortage of vessels owing to naval commandeering and also there 1 were so few men available to 1 engage in fishing. He realised that in Whakatane the .situation was in danger of. developing into a local feud. The logical thing to do if the regulations prevented the supply of fish reaching the public, was to remove the regulations. No Real Shortage Mr A. J. Canning said that he had, never known such .a shortage of fisli in this; town during the 28 3*cars he had been here. He knew too that there was no real shortage as a trawler had recently left the 1 Bay with more fish than it woulld carry. The position to-day was, absurd, the restrictions not only putting up the price but also- rationing it out to the public. In his opinion no wholesaler should be permitted to cany a retail license.

Mr Creeke added that the most, objectionable feature was the state of the fish when it was bought. It had been ruined by the freezer. Mr Rivet t instanced a receif catch by line fishermen of. 801bs of tereki. Mr Creeke suggested deferring the matter till next meeting to enable the allegations which had been made to be investigated. Something Wrong The chairman (Mr C. F. Thomas): Ihcrc is obviously something wrong about the distribution of fish in Whakatane and that is the only aspect in which the Chamber is interested. I consider that we should write: away asking that an investigaion be made. 1 he meeting then decided to write the Ministry of Supply protesting against the effect of the regulations locally and asking the Fisheries Board to enquire into the whole position, in the meantime the Council of the Chamber was instructed to set ii]) n committee to collect evidence to submit to the investigating officer when he arrives. FEELING IN OPOTIKI SALE OF FISH BY MAORIS Strong objection to any interferunec against thd sale of fresh fish by the Whakatohea Patriotic shop, Avas made at a meeting of the Opotiki Branch of the Farmers' Union.

Mr A. Martin said lie liad been informed that fresh fish had been sold- at tlic Maori patriotic shop and that as a result of complaints made to the police the sale of the fish had been prohibited. It was pointed out during the ensuing discussion that the Wliakatohea Maoris .had done good work in assisting the Patriotic effort. Many* members voiced their A'icws and it appeared to be the unanimous opinion that the shop should be allowed to continue- selling the iish, especially when the object of the shop was considered. lit was also considered that a test case should be made and members p resent expressed their willingness to contribute towards any line that might be made. It was considered that local people would be only too willing to assist in any Court action. It was finally decided that the secretary should check up on the position and that in the event of the statements being verified the matter should be,