The Daily News SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23. FISH AND FRUIT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 23 November 1907, Page 2

The Daily News SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23. FISH AND FRUIT.

Tlie sea we have Willi us always, but as for tlie iish that are therein, they iii(i-tly remain in their native element, .mil an only occasionally be obtained as an arlicle'of food l>y tlie residents of our town. Naturally, the' price charged for such linli is unreasonably high, so that instead of lish being regarded as a necessary part of our diet, it becomes bv force of circumstances somewhat of a luxury. Strictly speaking, the clas-, of lish that is to be obtained here cannot by a severe stretch of imagination be deemed luxurious, neither is tlie choice extensive. Yet there is a large number of people to whom the ability to obtain a welcome change of diet would lie a great boon. U may lie assumed, in all common fairness, that the water around our coast contains as good a supply of iish as is met with in other parts of the Dominion similarly situated to New Plymouth, but the' fact remains that, for some 1-eanon or another, there is a lamentable deliciency in the quantity oll'ered for sale. Were it not for consignments occasionally received from otiier places, not only would we be worse oil' than at present, but we should never be able to obtain tlie more delicate kindrt that are so much appreciated.

The cruise of the Government trawler, | , the Nora Niven, should be productive of ■ much good. By a thorough test of the fishing" grounds of the whole of our coast, much valuable information will be available when the reports arc made public. The project was one. that reilects credit on the Government, and if it results in giving a stimulus to the industrv, the people will certainly gain a good' return for the expenditure involved iu the expedition. It is remarkaide how little is known as to the possibilities of our coastal waters as a food-supplying agency. The increased cost of the necessaries of life are being felt more or less by every good housewife, so that the possible advent of a regular supply of fish at reasonable prices would be doubly welcome at the present time. To place the industry on a proper fooling, if would be necessary to have suitable boats titled with cold chambers or supplied with ice and to inaugurate an adequate system of speedv distribution. The present unsatisfactory method.-, prevailing in our district are completely u.-eless as a means for supplying the people with lish. The roughness of the m-:i necessitates the employment of boats suitable for the conditions prevailing. W'e fear that it will hardly be wise to rely on local ell'orts until the industry is placed on a sound basis. Meanwhi!. no efforts should be spared towards securing a reliable supply from more favoured places. The Government could materially assist in this direction. If, as undoubtedly is the case, it was their ilutv to find out what edible fish were to be found oil the coast of the Dominion, it follows, as a matter of course, that, as the fish are, no good until brought within the reach of the people, it is equally incumbent on the Government to sec that due facilities are given for conveying this perishable food to the various districts rapidly and eheaplv. In this way the true interests of the people will be served, and it would prove a great boon to the inhabitants of our larger centres.

While on the question of food >upply. there is yet another matter that calls for comment—the dearness of fruit. In a country like New Zealand, with climatic conditions pre-eminently favorable to the growth of all kinds of fruit, there should be an abundant supply at reasonable prices. Such, however, is not the case so far as Taranaki is ronccrned. With the exception of a limited supply of apples aud plums, we, liavc to rely on other districts for our fruit supply. This means adidtional cost, but not to such an extent as to justify the high charges that the consumer is called upon to pay. It is a moot question whether the present system of distribution is not iu great measure responsible, as before the fruit reaches the consumers it has to pass through several hands, each taking toll. The establishment of open markets, as iu the Old Country and on the Continent, would to a large extent remedy this evil. As time goes on and population increases, some radical alterations in the existing methods will be imperative. As to whether the new departure should lie inaugurated without, further delay is a question on which there may be a dilfcrencc of opinion, but there can be no divergence of views as to the necessity for moro favourable terms being obtained in the purchase of fruit. Of course there are good seasons and bad. yet, after making all due allowances,' the fact remains, fruit is too dear.

It may be that the generality of people do not realise the immense importance of fruit as a. diet, and consequently are somewhat apathetic as to supply' and price. 'That, however, does not affect the general question, though it is unreasonable to suppose that such a feeling exists. More likely is it that the matter is viewed ill the same light as many similar problems—the necessity of bowing to the inevitable."'ll this fatalistic doctrine ~'ere'appiied to all departments of lue, there would be absolute stagnation instead of progress. Fortunately the desire and ability to overcome diilicnlties is inherent, to most of the British race. If the light for existence was as keen here as it is in the older countries, a remedy for the various disadvantages in connection with food supply woiiid quickly be found and applied. We arc convinced that the public are anxious for the time to arrive when the necessaries of life will be obtainable at reasonable prices. It behoves them to take action towards attaining their desire in this respect. No one can blame the retailers either for the shortiK'oS »f supply or high prices. They are justly entitled to their profits—frequently not too large. It is probahlv the whole system of distribution that is at fault and calls for a remedy.