The Press THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1969. The Oyster Dispute

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31994, 22 May 1969, Page 10

The Press THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1969. The Oyster Dispute

Closing the Foveaux Strait oyster season is a drastic method of persuading the parties to settle the dispute over the entry of a new vessel to the Bluff oyster fleet. In almost any other circumstances the Government’s action, which amounts to an official lock-out, would be an unreasonable denial of the rights and interests of consumers, retailers, wholesale merchants, boat owners, and the employees of the industry. Hie reduced limit set for this season’s catch meets all the arguments of oystermen on the score of conservation. It may fairly be argued that because the catdi is limited the number of oyster boats should also be restricted to ensure a reasonable return to those working them. In the past, however, a licensing system tended to promote a monopoly for the few Bluff operators; and neither retailers nor consumers were happy about the supply of oysters, increasingly in demand since air transport has widened the market

At the end of last season members of the Seamen’s Union in Southland resolved not to man any additional oyster boats. This decision, probably made with sincere regard for conservation, entrenched the established oystermen as firmly, though not necessarily as fairly, as did the old licensing system. Twenty-two boats were dredging last season and 22 boats began this season. Nine other boats were registered by the Marine Department; but only the Southern Enterprise—a new vessel financed largely by retailers who were dissatisfied with the service given by the Bluff merchants —began dredging after the season opened. The union won considerable support for its resistance to the entry of this vessel and continued to press for the relicensing of the oyster industry.

Recently, the Minister of Labour, Mr Shand, proposed that the registration of the eight boats not working should be suspended; that the number of boats, including the Southern Enterprise, be restricted to 23; that the industry be relicensed; and that no new licences be issued until a licensing authority approved an increase related to the supply of oysters on the beds. Although this represented a complete, and rather surprising, reversal of the Government’s policy on licensing, the union has not agreed to the plan. It certainly seems unwise to allow the industry to impose its own licensing scheme —through the seamen’s union decision on manning —for a commodity that is scarce and in great demand. If a free market is not to determine the number of boats that may profitably work the beds within the limit of the catch, then the number and ownership of the boats should be determined in an orderly and impartial way.