Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-10-09
High Priced Fish


Rr;,crrs of the Star Bulletin have no doubt 1"I'
lowed with special interest the renewed assault 'n''
has been made against the high cost OF hSh ny
residents of the city. who have sent letters |" n'H
paper setting forth the very difficult position OF tie
imam of moderate means who must supply his FANNY
with proper food
The significant feature Of this discussion ~ the
fact that despite the activities Of the food conhls
sion the investigation and the discussion the price
of fish continues ~ advance. and the poor man
food problem il one of steadily increasing dlhcultN
And this man of moderate means cannot uhd"r-
stand why it is that with an ocean around US teehl-
ing with fish, the fish food is almost the highest
priced in the market. 1t is very difficult for any
one to understand and still more difficult to fahom
The reason why the situation is not handled under a
more aggressive policy than has yet been evidenced
from the food commission.
AS it is generally understood at present. the food
commission has simply stated that the condition
cannot be improved under the present method OF
handling fish The fish is sold at auction. The
overhead expenses Of the ishmarket stalls are very
high, and the fish eaters have to pay.
The thought occurs that an opportunity Is now
presented for a food commission with energy. en-
thIsiasm and backbone to handle this problem in a
manner that will compel more equitable system
of transferring the catch from the fisherman to the
home. The suggestion has been made that an I'M
provement might result if public market of some
character should be established. Yet the Terrific
rial market does not appear to improve with age
and the food commission has free rein there
The Star Bulletin is not in favor of the
method proposed by one correspondent-that the
families of the city refuse TO purchase fish,. This
would be CARRYING out the boycott idea, which is
IN pUlti 70 nd fupt
with our mixed population, it would be impracti-
cable More time and effort would be required to
enlist the present fshbuying population in a non
purchasing campaign than could possibly be ex-
pended in campaign of education to demand and
secure competent and proper management of the
fish supply for the city of Honolulu.
The food commission has authority to deal with
the food supply 1t may be exercising this author
ity slowly but effectively. Unfortunately the pub,
lie has not gained this impression. The public
feels il comment may be taken as fair test oe COM
munity opinion, that the food commission is spen-
did organization that, up to date, has not gained
many tangible results. People remember most
readily its statements of what cannot be done Prob
ably this is preliminary to telling what be done
with regard to control of food products. 49,:
Thus far in dealing with the high cost of fish, the
food commission seems to be in somewhat similar
position To what General Haig would be if in his
advance through Flanders he should come TO a very
high stone wall and were to make careful exam
ination of that stone wall and report back to his
government that there was stone wall across his
path, high that he could not get it and he
had decided TO sit down beside it.
In the estimation of this paper public board
can better afford to make errors of action than in
action. 1t should endeavor to accomplish something
and smash down some of the barriers that are found
between the poor man and the price of decent
meal for himself and his family