FISH TRADE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 October 1939, Page 3

FISH TRADE

AUCKLAND REORGANISATION PLAN. AN ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTED. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, October 13. The establishment of one central market, instead of a reduction in the number of wholesale distributing companies from eight to three, is urged by the Auckland Fish Retailers’ Association, which represents 80 retailers in the Auckland area. It is claimed that reorganisation of the marketing of fish in the city on the lines suggested by the Government would not solve present difficulties and would not result in any reduction in the price. The president of the association, Mr C. J. Matthew, said that the association had recommended to the Government the establishment of a central depot where retailers could secure the whole of their requirements of fish. If that could not be brought about,, retailers would prefer to have the position left as it was. They would be opposed to the elimination of the firms which had served them well, unless such a step would result in substantial benefits. It was stated that application of the Government’s plan to reduce the number of wholesalers from eight to three would still compel retailers to purchase at a number of points instead of at one central market. They saw no reason why a central landing stage, with a market adjacent, should not be established, leaving the companies to maintain their identity and to arrange for the export of any surplus. The secretary of the association, Mr H. G. Lott, agreed that the companies faced with extinction were the ones which had served the retailers best. Unless the markets were combined into one, the position should be left alone.