CHEAP FISH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 65, 3 August 1912, Page 5

CHEAP FISH.

'* 1 CO-OPERATIVE SCHEME. ELIMINATION OF MIDDLEMAN THE QBJECT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christehnreh. August 1. Fish and its prices have always been a subject of interest to the people of Christehnreh, but although the charges at the.retail .shops are frequently the subject of caustic comment by purchasers and by fishermen, little change, takes place. At present, however, a Determined effort, is being made by some of the fishermen in L.vtt.eiton to establish a co-operative scheme which, it is intended, shall eliminate the middle man entirely and bring the catch of fish into direct communication with the buyer. Captain W. Doridant. an experienced fisherman, speaking to a reporter, said that the scheme had evolved from discussions among several fishermen who were dissatisfied with the present system. It was intended, he. said, to endeavor to dispose of a number of bonds to.the public. Each bond would have a .iace value of 20s, and the company , wquld guarantee to supply the holder of.ithe .bond with fish at cost price, plus t'be cost of distribution. It would mean th'iit there would 'lie a great reduction in > the price. Oroper, which could be •taken as a standard fish, instead of citing 7d per lb as at present, would beiisold to the bond-holders at from 2 5 / 2 d to, 3d per lb in the winter, and from 2d t0,;2%d per lb in the summer. Other lines would be correspondingly cheaper. ''At present I nm getting about Id per lb for groper," said Captain Doridant. "and I am doing very well out of. it. Under this scheme I hope to tret l 1 in the summer and 2d per lh in the winter. That will mean a good return for me, and it will mean a remarkable reduction in the retail price. We hope to dispose of 500 bonds at 20s each, and .this money will enable us to carry oti until the business is firmly established. It will allow us to get in order our means of distribution. We intend to open a shop in Christehurci' and a depot in Lvttelton, and to supply direct to the public."