FISHING VOLTE FACE?

Evening Star, Issue 23503, 17 February 1940, Page 8

FISHING VOLTE FACE?

SIGNIFICANT RUMOURS ABROAD COMPLETE REVERSAL OF GOVERNMENT PLAN? PROBABLE INCREASE IN AUCTIONEERS The meeting of fishermen hold yesterday to discuss progress reports of the deputation which went to Wellington to interview the Minister was not public, and no statement was subsequently made by members of the executive. According to rumour, howover, the deputation’s request for the retention of the auction market was acceded to—but there were strings attached. These—still according to rumour—were, that a firm hitherto engaged solely in the wholesale and export trade was to obtain an auctioneers’ license; and that the fish which formerly went to this firm, or were obtained from its own boats were to be thrown on the market. In effect, this would cause a glut, which would make the fixed price scheme of the Government’s attractive by comparison. Rumour, notoriously a lying jade, is this time substantiated by the forecast made by Mr H. Camp (Wellington) when lie spoke to a well-attended meeting of the men some weeks ago. He threatened that the position which is now rumoured would obtain if the request for the auction’s' retention wore persisted in. The firm in question has a trawler which was withdrawn from service about a year ago, and it was then stated that this ship was condemned. It is understood now that the ship will be recommissioned. This will further” accentuate the threatened glut, and Mr Camp made due reference to this in his speech. Mr Camp is an accountant who is chairman of one of the many boards which now control the fishing industry. No previous connectioh with fishing which he may have had can be uncovered, but he evidently speaks with some authority, because his forecast was made before any deputations were sent to Wellington. It will be interesting to see whether Rumour this time belies her reputation. It is to be hoped that she does not because an increase in the number of auctioneers, practically concurrent with a reduction in both retailers and fishermen would entail a complete reversal of the Government’s advertised policy.