MEETING OF FISHERMEN

Southland Times, Issue 22013, 12 May 1933, Page 5

MEETING OF FISHERMEN

SERIOUS POSITION. MR PERRELLE ASKED TO VISIT STEWART ISLAND. (From Our Correspondent.) A meeting of fishermen was held on Tuesday evening to consider the question of endeavouring to get the unemployed schemes started on the island in conjunction with the fishing. Mr J. Campbell was in the chair and Mr T. Bragg was present by invitation. In opening the meeting Mr Campbell stated that the meeting had been called to consider the very serious position in which the islanders found themselves owing to the stoppage of relief works. All were aware that fishing was classed as seasonal work and that relief work was provided only during the off season from October to January. Since January, owing to the continued bad weather and the low price paid for fish the fishermen had been unable to earn sufficient to buy food. Mr Bragg said that he had been approached to see if anything could be done. He had applied to the Government but could get no satisfaction. Continuing he said that some men had gone prospecting but were unable to make a living at it. Some families had left the island altogether and others were seriously considering moving. The local stores had carried many people over hoping that things would improve, but they would be unable to do so much longer. In conclusion he stated that things were more serious now than ever he could remember and it was up to the men to get together and put their case before the authorities. During the discussion which followed it was stated that endeavours had been made to have the license to take opossums remitted and also the tax on skins, so that a man might have a chance of making a few pounds, but the Government had refused the application. While Mr McDougall, M.P., was on the island at Easter the whole position had been put before him and he had promised his help and support. The stoppage of the relief works during the fishing season was due to the officer of the Unemployment Board who visited the island last year. He came shortly after an odd good month’s fishing and based his decision to stop the works on the income for that month. It was contended that he did not make sufficient allowance for working expenses, nor did he attempt to get into touch with the fishermen, but contented himself with interviewing the local Unemployment Committee and fishing companies. In regard to the local Unemployment Committee it was felt by many that they would be better without it and deal direct with the Invercargill Committee. Alarm was felt at some families having to leave the island and go to live in Invercargill in order to obtain relief work. If the Government did not soon provide relief on the island other families would be forced to move also. When ways and means of obtaining relief were discussed it was felt that the first move was to acquaint the member for the district, Mr P. A. de la Perrelle, with the position. As correspondence was unsatisfactory it was unanimously decided to ask Mr Perrelle to visit Stewart Island as early as possible and discuss the situation. Mr J. Simmers was appointed secretary and instructed to write to Mr Perrelle. In order to have facts and figures to back up their argument each man was asked to make up his actual earnings since February 1.