THE PRICE OF FISH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 34, 30 June 1914, Page 4

THE PRICE OF FISH.

INTERVIEW WITH THE CANADIAN - COMMISSIONER, , , Per Press Association,, » Auckland, £iat Night, "It is absurd that people in New Ttotland should have to pay ag much forfish as they do for beef,'' Ail Professor E. E. Prince, Canadian Commissioner of' Fisheries, as he was leaving for Wd* ' lington to-day. "Though there •» , abundant supplies in th* coastal water* J and little difficulty in dMtibuting the ""j eatches to the markets, th 4» pricea a* J which fieti is sold are double other countries, -with the consumption is restricted." Professor BrinCe ffljW large cities of Canada fish at half the cost that ralei ia Zealand. Local conditions are'natunQy -Si favorable for cheap fish supplies, for not ■' only are there no immense - f n between the markets and fishing grounda, . but the consuming population ia actaally within a few miles of the sea coast; yet the piiblie has to pay prices which • are obviously high. The causes of thhl are to be found, Protestor Prince cot* eidered, in the system of handling Blip*-, iplics after they leave the - hands. "I am satisfied that the futon '• of the fishing Industry dependa upon ft ' revision of the present methods of mar- : : keting," Professor Prince declared. "Both fishermen and whotesaJe merchant* ' would be benefited if the prices were re-' duced, for sales would be trebled." P*ofeasor Prince added that there ia a great scope for an extension of tho smoked fish industry. At present large quantities of fish arc not utilised, because when the market is glutted the dealers refuse to accept the flshermien'a ♦atehes. The surplus supplies cannot be sold .by the fishermen, but they would not be wasted if they were placed on tit* market as smoked Ash. ,