["Illustrated Interviews", The Sunday Times (Perth, WA), Sunday 31 March 1912, page 22]

ILLUSTRATED INTERVIEWS

Fish O! Fish O!--The Government v. the Greeks.

It's Fish O! all right.

The reign of the Dago dynasty is nearly done. In a couple of months the Government will be distributing the phosphorus-charged pisces to the brain-fagged public, and we shall arise from our bream or schnapper breakfast mentally refreshed and fit to take on the making of a political speech or the composition of an epic.

The details of the scheme are now being worked out, and "The Sunday Times'" scribe waited upon Colonial Secretary Drew last week for information.

"It is quite true," remarked the Minister. "We are going to institute State fisheries to supply the people of the metropolis, anyhow. 'The Sunday Times' was just the very paper to comment upon the fact that there is an inexhaustible supply of beautiful fish in Shark Bay, while the residents down here are starving for it. Is not that so?"

The pressman pleaded guilty.

"Very well," went on Mr. Drew, "the Government is going to bring the fish to the consumer. I have been for some time conferring with Mr. Aldrich, the Chief Inspector of Fisheries, with regard to the means for putting the scheme into practical operation."

"My first object is to get a suitable steamer and a number of vessels have been placed under offer – some local, some from the Eastern States, and one from Tasmania – I have asked the Chief Harbormaster and an engineer to report upon these steamers."

But in the language of the cook book, first catch your fish.

"Quite so. We shall have men up there with proper fishing boats and all the necessary paraphernalia to first catch the fish."

Having caught them, what will be done with them next?

"Oh, they will be packed in ice."

Cleaned or--?

"Cleaned, ready for delivery. Well, as soon as we get a shipment the steamer will come straight down to Fremantle."

How long will the trip take?

"Two days from Shark Bay."

And when the fish reach Fremantle?

"They will at once be placed in cold storage, whence they will be distributed to the consumer."

By Government carts?

"Yes. We shall have a number of small spring carts specially constructed for the purpose, and these will go round to the districts apportioned to each."

There will be no middlemen at all?

"None whatever. I believe there will be two deliveries daily, but not to each district. The districts will be worked in rotation, but each will be able to get a good and regular supply. Besides, people can write or ring up and give their orders, and they will be executed the same as with any other business concern."

It will be a cash business?

"Oh! yes. We shall not deliver anything without the cash. I may say that our object is not to make a profit. So long as the ledger balances and the people get a supply of wholesome fish at a reasonable price we shall be satisfied."

Have you figured out the probable price?

"We have gone very carefully into the matter and have arrived at the conclusion that we can deliver fish at the consumer's house for 5d. per lb."

Why, the Dagoes charge ls.! , What do they think about it?

"I don't believe that they realise the position. Anyhow, it should not hurt them, for this reason: the consumption will be largely increased, and although they will have to sell at 5d., they will be able to dispose of a far greater quantity. It seems to me that if the people can get fish at 5d. per lb. they will eat less meat, and so the present distributers will make as much as they do now, only they will have to sell a good deal more."

Instead of throwing the surplus back into the sea, in order to limit the supply and maintain a fictitious price, they will have to sell it?

"I don't know that they do that. I have heard so."

Our information is that it is a fact. Good food is wasted, so that the price may be kept up.

"If so, that will be at an end. We recognise that the public have not been able to get what nature has so bountifully provided. Now, whatever the cause, we are going to remove the evil."

Will you take my order now, Mr. Drew? I want a whale.

"Good. Yes, if you really wanted a whale we should supply."