H.—44A.

Prices paid are as follows :—

With the exception of the prices for flounders to fishermen, all prices are now on a par with the Auckland scale, the price of groper to the fishermen having been raised recently to 3|d. green and 4d. gutted, and wholesale and retail prices have no doubt advanced accordingly. The fishermen receive s|d. for flounder (gutted) in Auckland. Besides delivering locally, both firms send fish as far as Opotiki, Rotorua, Waihi, the King-country, and occasionally to Gisborne, prices being freight forward in each case. In times of local shortage the retailers draw supplies from Thames at the same price as Tauranga, plus freight 3s. 6d. per 100 lb. case. There are two retailers in Tauranga who also sell cooked fish and conduct restaurants, their retail prices for wet fish being as stated above. Financial results over a recent seven-monthly period in each case showed reasonable profit margins. Retail prices appear reasonable. Auckland and Thames. Wholesale. —Particulars are given under " Export, Auckland," of the wholesale prices operating in Auckland and Thames. Since the agreement with Sanford Ltd. relative to export and the revised scale of local prices came into effect, all wholesalers have benefited, but the majority of retailers, although they admit that sales have increased in 1937 as compared with 1936, have stated that they have not prospered as well in proportion to other sections of this and other trades. They were faced with an increase in wholesale prices consistent with the advance received by the fishermen—(i.e., from between ljd. and lfd. to 2d. per pound), and after taking into account the wastage involved in processing they were not in all cases able to pass on the relative advance in retail prices, although, generally speaking, it may be said that they were not placed at any great disadvantage in this respect, except that the upward trend in prices resulted in a slackening-off in what was hoped to be the commencement of a marked expansion in consumers' demands at the time. Before commenting further upon the retail position it is advisable to refer back to the operation of the wholesale units and follow developments through to matters dealing with local consumption. Brief reference is made to the wholesale establishments hereunder :— Sanford Ltd. : Operating since 1904. In 1932-33 reduced capital from £125,000 to £59,375. Only Auckland merchant operating steam trawlers. Profit latest twelve months, £3,794 ; previous fifteen months, £8,312. Fishermen's Co. (Auck.), Ltd. : This company (a co-operative concern which itself owns no boats) was formed in 1931 by certain shareholders of the Auckland Fishermen's Co-operative, Ltd., which went into liquidation in that year. In 1936 fifteen boats were fishing for this company, but owing to differences between the company and the boat-owners who were later in the same year to form the Auckland Seine Boat Association the number was reduced to five boats by the defection of ten boats to the latter concern or elsewhere. Ocean Fish Co. (Messrs. Yurak Bros.) : Established 1931. Owns no boats, and supplies local market only. Auckland Fisheries, Ltd. : This concern took over and developed a small wholesale business which was under financial obligation to those who are now principal shareholders. The company was registered in 1932. Prior to the Fishermen's Co. (Auck.), Ltd., acquiring supplies from a number of boats whose owners were later to form the Auckland Seine Boat Association these boats fished for Auckland Fisheries, Ltd. Following upon the defection of these vessels a company, the Auckland Trawling Co., Ltd., was formed to operate three Danish-seine boats for Auckland Fisheries, Ltd. The capital is held by five shareholders who are directors of Auckland Fisheries, Ltd. Kia Ora Fish-market (Cole and Howarth) : Own and operate four Danish seine vessels and dispose of practically the whole of the supply upon the local market. Certain small surplus quantities were handed over to Sanford Ltd. (under the merchants' agreement) for export. Pearl Fisheries (IST. Marinovich) : Formed 1933. Owns and operates two vessels and supplies mainly local market and his own two retail-shops. Packs limited quantities for export. Waitemata Fisheries, Ltd. : Established in 1933. Owned and directed by Mr. M. A. Devcich, who wished to enlarge upon his source of supply for his wholesale and retail business in the Waikato. Began exporting in 1936. Auckland Seine Boat Association, Ltd. : This is a co-operative concern which owns no boats as a company. As an outcome of differences in the matter of supply to Auckland Fisheries, Ltd., and subsequently the Fishermen's Co. (Auck.), Ltd., a number of boat-owners formed this company in 1936.

56

To Fishermen. Wholesale. Retail.. Per Pound. Per Pound. Per Pound. Snapper .. . . . . 2d. green .. .. 3|d. gutted .. 6d. whole. Snapper .. . . . . 2Jd. gutted .. 3|d. gutted .. lOd. fillets. Tarakihi .. . . . . 2d. green .. .. 3-|d. gutted .. 6d. whole. Tarakihi .. . . .. 2Jd. gutted . . .. lOd. fillets. Hapuka .. .. .. 3d. gutted .. 6d. h. and g. . . Is. steaks. Flounders .. .. .. 5d. gutted .. 7d. and 8d. gutted .. Is. whole.