THE FISH MARKET.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXV, Issue 16487, 28 February 1914, Page 14

THE FISH MARKET.

CHARGES BY RETAILERS REFUTED. LOCAL FISHING GROUNDS DEPLETED. An article appeared in a recent issue of tho “Lyttelton Times” with reference to tho present high prices ruling in tho fish market, - and stating tho opinion of a local fish buyer that the supply and sale of fish wero • controlled •by one market in Christchurch.

A “ Lyttelton Times” representative called on Messrs I*. Feron and Son yesterday and asked for their side of the case. Mr Feron stated that the trouble seemed to have been caused by one or two large retailers of fish m the city. About two years ago, when he started a fish market in Christchurch with freezing and smoking chambers, theso large retailers iiad a great advantage over the small retailers in that they were ablo to take advantage of cool stores and could buy large quantities of fish whenit was plentiful and keep it frozen until supplies were scarce. The small man had not been able to do this, through lack of capital, and when the present market was opened, offering facilities for freezing to the small retailer and supplying him with fish from the freezer when fresh supplies could not be obtained, the large retailer naturally did not relish ■the greater competition and more adequate resources of his previously weaker competitor. Mr Feron stated regai'ding the consignment of groper which had been held over from the Saturday to the Monday that this was done at the re.quest of the consignor, and in any case there was very little difference between the prices obtained on the two days. As to the supply and sale of fish being controlled by one market, that was absurd. It was the fishermen themselves who practically controlled the market. They sent in all the fish they could get. It was not to their advantage to do otherwise. There was very little fish to be obtained at present from the local fishing grounds. There would be plenty of fish perhaps about fifty miles out. but bigger boats would be needed, and they would have to be equipped with _ a cool chamber, and the cost of obtaining the fish would therefore be considerably increased It was absurd to sav that fish could bo sold at 2kl per lb in Christchurch. The groper seemed to have forsaken its feeding grounds locally 7, and in Wellington, whore large supplies worn obtained a few miles outside the harbour, the wholesale dealer lin'd to pay 2jd per lb even for very large quantities. With the freight and other charges added it would bo seen how ridiculous was the suggestion that it could he sold in Christchurch for 2}d per llj. A municipal market had been urged, hut what good would that do? It would not help the fisherman catch any more fish than under present conditions, and the present market had done much for the consumer and small retailor. Ever since tho freezer had been put in it had been run at an actual loss, but it had done much towards providing a more even supply of fish than formerly and more even prices. The statement that the duty on smoked bine cod should be raised so that more would be kept for local consumption, and the further statement that the export of blue cod had had the effect of draining the, local market, wero also absurd. A short time ago a large shipment oP'blue cod was offered to local dealers at 4£d per lb, but they had stated that after having smoked it they would have to charge Is per lb to make their profit. A very small portion of the shipment was taken locally and the remainder was therefore exported. The Christchurch dealers had had the opportunity of purchasing the whole shipment, but would not take advantage of it.