THE OYSTER FISHERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9031, 18 April 1888, Page 3

THE OYSTER FISHERY.

TO THE EDITOR. Permit me to make a few remarks on the latter part of Mr. Sanford's letter, in which he advocates that settlers should be protected from robbery by a set of gaol birds, larrikins, hoodlums, and others, by the issue of licenses by the Inspector of Police to persons engaged in taking oysters. It seems to me that the Rakino man puts down oystermen generally as rogues and vagabonds, and that the settlers are all saints, far too good for this wicked world. Now, Sir, in my opinion there are two classes of thieves—those who have been caught and those who have not and the settlers, at least some of them, think that the oystermen are stealing when they take the oysters from in front of their properties. Mr. Sanford seems to think once a thief always a thief. I maintain that closing the chances of earning an honest living is the first thing to drive a man to crime." Why should oystermen be singled out any more than fishermen or boatmen generally, that they should produce a character to some Jack-in-ofSce who may grant or withhold at pleasure a license to work for a living ? It is monstrous. Suppose Mr. Sanford was called upon to brand his sails and carry >a tin or leather medal to show that he was of the chosen few, would he like it ? I for one would not, nor would I submit to it. Would doctors, lawyers, or our leading citizens submit to have their carriages numbered or disfigured in pome way, so that • they might be recognised by every inquisitive upstart? Certainly not Then why ! should men sailing their own vessels and following a lawful occupation be called upon to license themselves or their craft. There r is law enough here in all conscience, and police enough to fill our gaols to overflow- • ing,! without adding one more crime to the calendar. Let Mr. Sanford argue the oyster % question as much as he pleases, but 0, don't ; add one drop more bitterness to the cup of* the already 'oppressed Oysterman I am, "■■: &C, ANOTHER OySTKRMAM.