THE SUSPENSION OF FISHING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25865, 8 June 1945, Page 9

THE SUSPENSION OF FISHING

Sir,—l would thank " Viking ” to answer the following Questions:—Why trawlermen will not. fish for soles on a Friday when red cod are in season and why they catch the red cod in opposition to the linemen? Why linemen on the weekends catch groper, ling, and blue cod for the same people at 33 1-3 to 40 per cent, less than the prices recently fixed by the Tribunal Committee? Does the general yearly average come up to. or exceed, the present fixed tribunal prices? Why certain fishermen agreed not to supply the National Mortgage Company with any surplus fish or to fish at the week-end for it—but as soon as they realised what others were doing sank their supposed principles and pride for financial gain? Why Waikawa, Kaka Point, and Moeraki fishermen arc still fishing? Wily Oamaru fishermen have formed themselves into a co-operative association and are fishing while Port Chalmers fishermen are not? Wliy the Government recently asked for and secured a special return from the fishermen and has not the tribunal fixed the prices fairly upon the year’s average prices realised in the auction mart? And does the tribunal not know over a period of years each fisherman's turnover?—l an., etc.. Fisherman. Sir,—With reference to the letter by " John Dory " on the 6th inst. it should be known to the public that the fishermen are not on strike. They are influenced by the fact that under the prices set down by the Price Tribunal fishermen would have to operate at a loss. “ John Dory ” says he used to eat a large quantity of eggs, but a meddling Government lias deprived him of his regular supply. But as “John Dory” is a hundred percent. in favour of rationing I do not think he has room for complaint. Presumably ns he is a returned soldier from World War I he receives a pension of some kind. How would he like it to be cut in half?—l am, etc., Another Fisherman.

Sir. —The fishermen have tied up their boats and the fishmongers closed their shops because they do not find the price order economically practical nor is there anything concrete or secure in some points of the order. On a whole the fishermen, as far as I can see, are not averse to a fixed price, but the point is, they were not given a fixed price by the Price Tribunal. They were given a ceiling price above which their fish could not be sold, but there was no limit to what it could be sold below that figure. Personally I think the fishermen would be agreeable to a reasonable fixed price—a summer price and a winter price to make up for adverse weather conditions and scarcity of fish during that season. I hold also that the prices should be paid on the beach. So until the fishermen are offered something more concrete and secure they will not find it economical to work under

the present price order. Furthermore, the price order was gazetted before being placed before the parties concerned for final approval or to point out unpractical points in the order. Some of the demands which the writers of letters to newspapers make on fishermen are very unreasonable and Impractical, and show very little knowledge of the subject.—l am, etc.. Viking. Port Chalmers, June 7.