THE PEOPLE'S FISH

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2189, 30 June 1914, Page 7

THE PEOPLE'S FISH

"ABSURDLY HIGH PRICES." (By Teloirop}i.-- r "—»ssrM(ition » Auckland, Juno 29. "It is absurd that people in New Zea. land should have to pay as much for fiah as they do .for beef," said i Professor E. E. Prince, Canadian Commissioner of Fisheries, as he was leaving for Wellington to-day. _ "Though there aro abundant supplies in coastal waters and little difficulty in distributing catches to tho markets, the prices at which fish is sold are double those of other countries, with the result that the consumption is restricted." Professor Prince remarked that in the large cities of Canada lie has bought fish at half the cost that rules in New Zealand. Local,conditions arc naturally favourable for cheap fish supplies, for not only are there no immense distances between the markets and tho fishing grounds, but tho constming population is actually within a fow miles of the sea coast. Yet the public has to pay prices which are obviously high , Tho causes of this are to be found, Professor Prince considered, in the system of handling srupplies after they leave the fishermen's hands. "I am satisfied that tho future of the fishing industry depends unon a revision of tho present methods of marketing," he declared. "Both fishermen and wholesale merchants would be benefited if prices wero reduced, for sales would he trebled."

Professor Prince added that there is great scope for an extension of tho smoked fish industry. At present large quantities of fish are not utilised, beotni.'o when the market, is glutted the dealers refuse to accept the fishermen's catches. Surplus supplies cannot ho' sold by the fishermen, but, thev would not be wasted if thev were placed on the market as smoked fish.