OYSTER DISPUTE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 134, 18 March 1940, Page 7

OYSTER DISPUTE.

PARTIES REACH AGREEMENT.

WORK TO RESUME TO-DAY. (Per. Press Association). INVERCARGILL, March 17. The dispute between the Bluff oystermon and merchants ended on Saturday, when the parties eame> to an agreement after a. conference lasting all day. There, was a complete sett-1 ement except for one outstanding matter, which will not be difficult to overcome. Mr O. L. Hunter, the Government liaison officer, who arrived from Welligton on Thursday to endeavour to effect a settlement, was present at the discussions, which began at Bluff at 9 a.m. and ended at 6.30 T>.m. The assessors on both sides were, very conciliatory, and did their best to arrive at an agreement. If the weather is favourable the oyster fleet will go to the beds in Foveaitx Strait to-morrow. If it Lad been possible, Mr Hunter and the nnrties to the dispute would have liked boats to have gone out to-day to overcome the. shortage on the market and to ensure two catches reaching Wellington lief ore Easter. However, the boats could not be got ready at such short notice, and conditions to-day were not favourable. Although the boats were idle for six days, actually only ono and a half fishing days were lost, the weather being unsuitable for the remainder of the time. Retail stocks of oysters are exhausted,. and there will /be a keen demand for the next catch. The toVms of the settlement will be incorporated in an agreement, which will lie prepared this week. It is expected that when, the agreement lias been signed, details of the terms will bo released for publication. Both sides are reported to be pleased with the agreement.