FRUIT AND FISH SUPPLIES

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 110, 7 February 1928, Page 10

FRUIT AND FISH SUPPLIES

Sir,—On the last trip of the Makuru litre she brought over, not exactly a record, but an enormous number ot bauauas, about 7fioo cases, also a large quantity of oranges, besides a large quantity of Island fruit ex the \Vaipahi at Auckland, tlm bananas ranging iroin 15s. to IGs. per ease, and at the very highest lb’s, lor extra choice, but many cases being sold round about 12s. to 14s. per case. Also, the oranges brought by these boats, on account of the large "number, were being sold at very low prices. Yet the fact, remains that as tar as the public is concerned the prices of these very necessary commodities of food are as high as they have ever been for soldo time past. The retail price of bananas ranges from 2s. for very good, Is. (id. tor good, and Is. are poor, and oranges are also at high prices. Now, Sir, some time ago when there was nothing like the number of bananas on the market the prices were very much lower than they are to-day. In this warm weather fruit is an absolute necessity for the health of the community, particularly for children, yet the fact remains that when the public should get fruit at the cheapest it is at almost exorbitant prices, and with families of small or moderate incomes fruit is a luxury if not out of reach altogether. Further, Sir, at the end of November and the beginning of December last, the question was raised both in the House and by the general public if there was a fish “ring” in existence, and certain ■ local fishermen had correspondence in the papers which showed very plainly indeed what the position was. The prices of this very necessary article of diet are, in New Zealand, probably higher than in any other part of the world, and from Hie correspondence on . the above-mentioned dates it was shown that the local .fishermen, instead of receiving the average 3d. per lb. for the fish, were in many cases receiving Id. per lb., and not averaging IJd. per lb., ' or more than 2d. at the outside. This is not counting flounders, but the round varieties. This fish was retailed for 9d. ' per lb., though in some cases the newspapers said Bd. per lb., but where they got this information I do not know, for although I went to various shops I was not able to get it under 9d„ or Is. for I flat fish. I ■ Now to-day we learn that the round fish has come down from 9d. to 6d. or 7<t. per lb., and flat fish like the flounder to lOd. per lb. This is truly a tremendous drop, and shows u decrease of from 25 per cent, to 33 per cent. If this fish can suddenly drop this much the public would lie very interested to know bow nianj trailers, such ns merchants, etc., could suddenly afford to drop their goods by from 25 per cent, to 33 per cent, and still, in the case of the fish, business, make a very good profit on it. No, Sir, they could not do it and carry on business. This alone is evidence enough for anv thinking person. f wish to bring this matter under the Government’s immediate notice, as I consider it is a matter for the Government to tackle, and tackle, in no halfhearted manner, but with the sleeves rolled up and the gloves off. We have here a Board of Trade Department with a very capable man at its head as secretary, Mr. J. AV. Collins. and I feel sure that if the Government asked him to go thoroughly into the matter and furnish them with a report thereon that his report would be one which would show Hie Government the need tor immediate action.— I am. etc., 1 NECESSARY FOOU AT REASONABLE PRICES. Wellington, February 2. [As explained in The Dominion of February 3, the Department of Industries and Commerce has been conducting investigations into the fish industry in Wellington us a result of which a general reduction in. the price of fish has been announced. The evidence collected by the Depi"tm mt showed that there was financial interlocking and control in regard to both the purchase of fish and in selling prices.]