H— 44a.

The dietary studies referred to may, we think, be taken as indicative of the fact that the consumption of fish by large numbers of people in the Dominion is very low. From this, the question arises as to whether, supposing the cessation of export were practicable, our people could consume virtually all the fish caught in New Zealand waters. If this were possible, its effect would clearly be beneficial to the health of New-Zealanders and, as will be shown later, to the organization of the fisheries. After close examination of this question the Committee is satisfied that, granted certain conditions, the fish landed from New Zealand waters could easily be consumed within the Dominion. These conditions are : — (а) The capacity of our population to so add to the weight of its present per head fish consumption as to absorb the quantity —or the major portion of it —now exported. (б) Improvement in transport and distribution so as to make the fish available all over the country in good condition. (c) A reduction in price. CAPACITY FOR EXTRA CONSUMPTION. The Committee is of opinion that there can be no doubt about (a) if (b) and (c) are possible of operation. This opinion is based upon the following calculations, the figures used being those for the year 1936-37 Cwt. Total wet fish, landed weight .. .. .. .. .. .. 363,128 Total exports —50,717 cwt.—converted to the landed weight approximately 100,000 Consumed in New Zealand—landed weight . . .. approximately 263,128 The population of the main towns which are also fishing centres —i.e., Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, and Napier—is 609,030, of whom approximately 25 per cent, are children under fourteen years of age. This leaves a population of 456,773 adults. It may safely be assumed that 80 per cent, of the fish consumed in New Zealand is used by the population of the towns mentioned. We have now the formula that" 456,773 adult people consumed 80 per cent, of the 263,128 cwt. of fish landed and used in New Zealand—that is, 210,502 cwt., or 51-6 lb. per head per annum. Now, the total landings were 363,128 cwt., and if the same people were to consume the relative portion of this —80 per cent. —consumption would be increased to 290,502 cwt., or 71-2 lb. per head per annum, or more simply, an increase from just under 0-99 lb. per head per week to 1-37 lb. per head per week. This small increase—only 0-38 lb. (6 oz.) —per head in the weekly consumption of fish by the adult (over fourteen years) population of the six main towns would absorb 80 per cent, of our present exports. Such a consumption at this figure should not be unattainable, yet it takes no account of any possible increased consumption by people outside the towns mentioned, and does not allow for any consumption by children up to fourteen years of age. At the last census the total white population of New Zealand, less children under five years of age, was 1,374,746. Now, these people consumed only 263,128 cwt. of fish landed, or 21-44 lb. per head per annum. To absorb all the exports they would have to consume 363,128 cwt., or 29-58 lb. per head per annum, an increase of 8-14 lb. per annum per head of total white population over five years of age. This means a weekly increase per head of only 2-5 oz. —that is, from 6-60 oz. to 9-10 oz. It should be noted that this latter figure is approximately the consumption recommended by the British Advisory Committee of Nutrition, whose figure was 8 oz. to 9 oz. We cannot believe that it is impossible to increase the consumption of fish in New Zealand by only 2-5 oz. per head per week. It is necessary now to consider the factors which to some extent will govern the possibility of the consumption by the Dominion population of the fish at present exported. TRANSPORT AND DISTRIBUTION. The transport of fish in New Zealand leaves much to be desired. In most cases where transport is by rail the fish will only be taken on goods-trains, which are far too slow for so perishable an article. Freights over anything but short distances are too high, more especially when compared with the value of the product. Insufficient inducement is offered by way of rebates on returned empties and free railage of ice to encourage the firms to use suitably heavy containers and plenty of ice to ensure the arrival of the fish at its destination in first-class condition. For the quantities of fish forwarded to the smaller country centres, fast motor transport and a possible adaptation of the rail car appear to be the most suitable methods. A number of anomalies in the present rail freight rates should be removed. It should not be difficult to overcome all of the transport difficulties, given real co-operation between the merchants and the transport services, including the Government. The details are dealt with elsewhere in this report. Unquestionably more efficient transport is essential if fish is to be distributed plentifully throughout inland areas in which marine products are now conspicuous by their absence, and to the extent it is provided an increased proportion of the total catch will be consumed within the Dominion. REDUCTION IN PRICES. The price of fish in New Zealand to-day is determined to a large extent by several factors which operate after it leaves the fishermen. In no case, except under the auction system when occasional poor supplies result in high prices, do the fishermen receive an excessive price per pound for the fish

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