The Fish Trade

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20164, 6 February 1940, Page 4

The Fish Trade

' Sir,—lt is regrettable that few correspondents upon the fish-selling question can keep within the bounds of logical reasoning without political or racial bias. Mr. George Dunn’s request to be shown “where the Government comes into the argument” tends to show that this matter is being argued upon one-sided information, combined with biased rumour. This argument about selling fish at the wharf is not new. A few years ago the fishermen petitioned the Harbour Board to have this practice stopped. The Harbour Board had no power to stop the practice, only as regards selling on the wharf itself, and took action accordingly, backed up by borough officials. There was no Bureau of Industries- at that period, and another Government was in power. The Harbour Board and the Borough Council have no power in the matter except under the “pure food” laws relating to the sale of fish for human consumption. The only power left is some Government department. We must, then, face the fact that the Government is the actual factor in stopping fish sales at the wharf. It appears to me that until the Minister in charge reveals the reasons for his action judgment cannot be given upon the matter. The only sensible move so far made has been the Freezers’ Union having the question referred to the Minister, for all the abuse hurled at the dealers through the press cannot rectify matters. I have received two letters, which you certainly would not publish, on ray action in defending the Greeks. In reply to those and others who may have misconstrued me, may I explain that my objection is to injustice, whether it be against naturalised New Zealand citizens or British-born ones. The Government department holding jurisdiction over the fish industry sent representatives who investigated local dealers, with a view to issuing a wholesale license. The only firm qualifying was Hie Gisborne Fisheries. ’Limited, and they were appointed, but not at the company’s request. If British-born business men will not operate the fish industry here, why blame the foreign-born for doing so? 1 am rather disappointed over the union arguments, for, as fishermen are sea-going men, their logical affiliation would be the Seamen’s Union. Thus any grievance would be ventilated by the parent union and placed before the Government authority for a just decision. The Freezers’ Union has exercised its right to appeal against the Government action SAM »T, PEARSON. !