A PROTEST

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 10, 13 January 1932, Page 9

A PROTEST

NEW ZEALAND OYSTERS

IMPORTATION INTO AUSTRALIA

(From "the Post's" Representative.) . . . /SYDNEY, 7th January. According to Mr. R. M. Pile,,promi v nent in the Australian oyster business, tho unrestricted importation of Stewart Island oysters into Australia has disorganised the oyster business in the Commonwealth. Ho says that since this was permitted few growers in Australia have been able to dispose of. their products and have been left with large stocks of fully-g^own oysters on their racks and trays. Interestod parties join with Mr. Pile, and add a protest against the inaction of the Commonwealth Government. They say that Jthe-Government las no regard for the local industry... They do not suggest how the position should be dealt with, but presumably they would' impose a prohibitive duty. , Australians invariably ;100k..t0 the tariff to get them out of all sorts of difficulties. Apparently it does not occur to the Australian oyster merchant that if he reduced his prices and brought his product within the reach of all classes he would'prosper. A. dozen oysters in a bottle cost Is. 6d in Sydney, and .few people are willing to pay that in these times of depression. .. ', ,

The troubles of; the Australian oyster grower aro not confined to the importation, of New Zealand oysters. Oysters in many of the big New South Wales beds on the Northern rivers are suffering 'from .what the Americaus call "influenza." ■ Whether tho .oyster patients are overcome by periodical fits of srieezing has never been recorded, but it' is certainly no sneezing matter for the owners of the beds. Growers claim that tho disease^ might easily bo termed heart disease. It is fatal to the oyster, and last year about 36,000 dozen of marketable-oysters were destroyed because■ of it. -The disease first became apparent about thirty years ago. Parseerng men in other oyster-produc-ing, areas saw the danger, and called ;for some action by the Fisheries: Department. Nothing was done, however..- . •■■•■'•' .'•.'■■■"' v •- ■': ..-■■ .' ■•■.;

■Experts say that oysters are subject to all sorts of disease, involving the owners in heavy losses,- and it is urged that the' :G6vorrimcnt—dnce again the call ia on the Government —should conduct ' investigations in regard to the prevention and cure of pests and diseases that attack oysters. It_is also urged that hew avenues of trade should bo discovered: 'The : question 'of tanning oysters might also be considered. But 'these art all'jobs 'for the Government, according to those most interested, and itVis feared that the Governmen has other' things to do with its limited finances.,; ...