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THE FISHERMAN
July 7, 1961
THE FISHERMAN
Published every Friday except the last Friday of each month by The Fisherman Publishing Society, 13 8 East Cordova Street GEORGE NORTH, Editor      Vancouver 4, B.C.      Phone: MU. 3-9655
Authorised as Second-Class Mail by Post Office Department, Ottawa
We'll Stay Honest
THE federal budget has had two effects, both of them already predicted by The Fisherman, and since confirmed in other directions.
We stated, and now repeat with added emphasis, that devaluation of the Canadian dollar has produced a cut in the standard of living by increasing consumer prices, and at the same time guaranteed fishing companies a premium price for their exports.
An article in The Vancouver Sun Friday, June 23, headed "Devalued Dollar to Cost $7 a Head" stated flatly that "The discounted Canadian dollar will cost every man, woman, and child in BC seven dollars a year."
Explaining, the article went on: "Merchants say that within a month, all goods imported from the US will climb at least five percent in price" but it could be as much as 10 percent. First items to be hit are "perishable food such as fruit and vegetables" which will cost "five to seven cents more on each $1 purchase, according to a major food supplier."
Canadian Press reported the same day that the price of bread might go up one cent a loaf, following a rise in the price of flour occasioned by the change in the value of the Canadian dollar.
Cliff MacKay, Vancouver Sun business editor, wrote that "Cutting the value of the Canadian dollar . . . means that your government has confiscated part of the value of every dollar you own. That makes it a capital levy. But the government also confiscates some of the worth of every dollar you earn. That makes it a form of income tax."
Why add to the story? It is already obvious. The Barker, organ of IWA Local 1-217, states: "A cheaper Canadian dollar means that almost everything we buy will go up in price and this will result in a general lowering of our standard of living."
The other side of the coin is that exporters such as BC fishing companies stand to reap a fat premium on their foreign sales.
The Fisheries Council makes no bones about it:
"The move to drive down the value of the Canadian dollar in terms of the US dollar, is a welcome one to all export industries — but particularly so to fisheries, which realises one half of its income in the United States market."
Even at today's discount, which may well increase substantially, "the lumber voperators are now obtaining an extra five cents on every dollar's worth of material sold south of the border," The Barker states. "This in a one year period will add up to many millions of dollars in additional profits.
"No wonder then," the newspaper adds, "management is jumping with joy the way things are going." No wonder indeed.
But as usual in the BC fishing industry, the canners are managjng to cloak their glee beneath a veneer of hypocritical twaddle about how difficult their situation really is.
And to add "weight" to their false position, they quote their Charlie McCarthy, Western Fisheries, as an unbiased "authority" on their alleged difficulties!
Fishermen, shoreworkers, and tendermen are too well versed in the ways and wiles of the BC fishing monopoly to have any illusions about what are facts and what are falsehoods.
The Fisherman has no axe to grind. Our policies are based solely and honestly on seeing that our readers get the truth. We have tried to carry out this mission in this particular period as in all others.
And the salient truths of the moment are that the cost of living is going up for the working class, that canned salmon prices are at a level that provides a generous margin of profit to the canners, that the world demand for canned salmon far exceeds production, creating in effect a seller's market, and finally, canners stand to boost their export prices by five percent and upward as a bonus from the change in Canadian dollar value.
The net result of this rather happy situation for the fishing companies is increased profit.
Why shouldn't the companies as a consequence berate The Fisherman for exposing their chicanery and heap praise on their willing, well subsidised lackey Western Fisheries?
We'll stay honest.
Direct Labor Cost in Car Less Than Price of Tires
sales promotion materials, profit and other costs
*Jord Falcon
DIRECT LABOR COST: $58
Report from Ottawa
Bosses' Voice Louder Than Organised Labor's
rfcUD FfeOU THL 'AMERICAN MACHINIST
By FRANK HOWARD, MP
EARLIER this session the government introduced its Bill C-70, which would require that companies and unions file statements with the government about certain of their activities.
The Bill is classified as one which seeks to obtain statistical information, but, in reality would discriminate against unions.
I recently had filed all correspondence the government had received from those who were interested in the Bill. The interest-i n g thing about this correspondence is that corporations, the Canadian Manufacturers Association and the Chamber of Commerce didn't hesitate about making representations.
The file of correspondence shows that corporations flooded
FISH and SHIPS
BRIEF BEEF: A Vancouver resident, C. H. Ferraby, has writ-teen City Council that his property value has declined by $2,000 because a neighbor insists on hanging her underwear on the clothes line in her front yard. He claimed that his neighbor "hangs washing out every second day, with her underclothing waving far out into the front street. One can see her clothesline.two blocks away." Mr. Farraby obviously hasn't seen some of the pithier sights at the rear of the Fishermen's Hall.
★ ★ ★
"If it had not been for the discontent of a few fellows who had not been satisfied with their conditions you would still be living in caves. You never would have emerged from the jungle. Intelligent discontent is the mainspring of civilisation. Progress is born of agitation. It is agitation or stagnation. I have taken my choice."
—Eugene Debs
★ ★ ★
The death occurred in Prince Rupert on June 26 of Mrs. E. V. Whiting, wife of the secretary of the International Halibut Fisheries Commission in the area. Mrs. Whiting, 67, was active in a number of organisations in Prince Rupert, where she and her husband had resided for the past 20 years. She is survived by her husband, one son, Robert, and six daughters.
★ ★ ★
We are sorry to learn of the passing of another person, not directly connected with the fishing industry. He is Jack Eaves, for many years organiser of the Painters and Decorators Union in BC and long on the executive of the old Vancouver, New Westminster Trades and Labor Council. Eaves, 60, died June 13 in Vancouver General Hospital.
★ ★ ★
Two illnesses among Edmunds and Walker workers: wrapper Valda Dicmanis, off work since June 1, has undergone an operation and her doctor expects that she will be able to return in two months; shipper William Buchan, 58, has been off work since June 17 with severe diabetes, and at last word was still in hospital.
★ ★ *
We didn't know it but Dick Chan, who works in the cannery box loft at Canadian Fishing Company home plant, was away from work, ill, from June 2 to June 20. Others recently ill for shorter periods include Claus Jaeger, Atlin Fisheries in Prince
Winjo Writes
Still Gunning for Sea Lions
WHEN the blueback season opened, I thought it would be a good thing to try out my hand at trolling. I wanted io find out whether I could work the hand fishing, so I rigged up three lines and took off.
My destination was Lasqucti Island, and I arrived there the second day after the opening. Fishing was not too good — all one heard over the air was lots of boats and not much fish.
L a s q u e t i must have some kind of re p u t a t i o n. When I got there I saw a fairly large yacht anchored just outside of Squitty Bay. She came all the way from Los Angeles to get in on the big blueback run that was supposed to be in the Gulf area. There was a number of smaller sports fishermen also on hand but due to the lack of of fish, they would move on.
★   ★ *
WHAT I SAW BY LASQUETI
Island I have never seen before in that area. I could not believe my eyes when I saw an animal swim toward a rock just above the water and climb on — it was a sea lion.
I took a turn around to make sure that I was not seeing things,
but there he was, sitting on the rock, head stuck way up in the air, and I could almost swear that he was laughing at me.
Well, sir. I did not like the sea lion's,attitude, so I trolled round and came by the rock about 75 yards from the sea lion, but as I trolled past, he just slid off the rock and disappeared. I was hoping he would follow me, because I was ready for him if he got close enough but the sea lion surfaced too far back to take a shot at him. He was looking things over, and seeing that mine was the only boat in his vicinity, he decided to swim toward me.
He came up a couple of times and always a little closer, and (hen he surfaced about 20 feet behind the boat. I had my shotgun all ready, so it was just a matter of bringing the gun up, taking aim, and that was the end of the sea lion.
I hope that there will be a few more fish for the fishermen, and not any more for the sea lion. ★    ★ ★
WHILE GOING  FISHING IN
the Gulf area the past few years, 1 would go past Thrasher Rock and on toward Entrance Island.
I guess a lot of fishermen who look this route saw a fairly large building being erected just past the entrance to Silva Bay.
This building has been completed, and it was just a year ago that 1 learned what it was, this building turned out to be "The Grande Hotel."
This project was erected by father and son, and the strange part of this was I know the son quite well. About ?0 years ago, I took this young fellow to Smith Inlet with me and when I brought him back to Gabriola Island I did not see him again till after the war; he was working a packer for Roy Tufnail.
Ed (Scotty) Dobinson joined the armed forces after our trip north, and while in London, *met and married an English girl. After the war they came back to Gabriola, where Scotty had been born. Father and son dreamed that some day they would build a hotel on Gabriola Island, a dream that started to take shape a little.over five years ago.
Now a person can stand in front of the hotel and look over to Point Grey, Gowcr Point and a large area of the Gulf of Georgia.
A person can, get a very good meal'at the hottel. and of course there is also something for the thirsty. Lots of luck to you, Scotty, in your new venture, and I will see you the next time I get to Gabriola Island.
If any fishermen in that vicinity give Scotty a call, he will be only too glad to come and run you over to "The Grande Hotel." ★    ★ *
Well it's off to the war for me, about June 28 or 29 I'm away to Rivers Inlet; wonder if there will be enough fish for everybody? Hope so.
—WINJO
Rupert, and John Vrosch, BC Ice and Cold Storage.
★ ★ ★
Captain Rekdar Iversen, skipper of the Cape Russell, is in Shaughnessy Hospital recovering from a successful shoulder operation for arthritis. He was admitted June 1 and the Hospital reported this week that he was coining along fine.
★ ★ *
T. Buck Suzuki, UFAWU vice president, was out on the west coast at last word and "having a grand time discussing conservation and international encroachment on our fisheries, predators, trade unionism, free riders." As an afterthoughgt: "Am going fishing tomorrow." Letter was written from Ucluelet.
★ ★ ★
George Robson, corresponding secretary of the UFAWU's Bella Coola Local, has bought the gill-netter Trudy N from Ernest Nelson of Bella Coola who built a new boat last winter. We join Harold Malyea, who passed on the news, in "wishing both these fishermen success with their newly acquired fishing vessels."
★ ★ ★
A letter from May Bryne in Pearson Hospital to Bill Rig by expressing her "thanks and appreciation for the personal work you have done on my behalf and the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union which has so generously helped me financially through the Shoreworkers' Welfare Fund, not forgetting the personal visits and 'get well' cards from many members. A card, a visit, goes a long way to cheering one while waiting for, 'Well, you can go home now'."
★ ★ ★
The vessel Jo Marc was in Wednesday, July 5, with 18,000 pounds of black cod from Swiftsure (west coast) selling at Campbell Avenue dock. Price ranged from 16-18 cents a pound.
★ ★ ★
Judging by recent troll landings, the coho season is in full swing with some fair catches arriving in port with the price steadily climbing. The Tor was in with 4,500 pounds of fish, Consisting of 3,500 pounds of spring salmon and some halibut, selling to Seafood Products. Prices were 36 cents coho. 65 cents 'large red, 50 cents medium red, 40 cents small red, 45 cents large white: Zenda D with 3,200 pounds of coho, 1,900 pounds of halibut, 400 pounds of ling cod selling to Mc-Callum Sales; Missidor, 1,800 pounds of coho, 750 pounds of springs, some ling cod and halibut; Marvin B, 3,000 pounds of coho, 550 pounds of springs and 900 pounds of halibut; Oslo, 3,400 pounds of coho, 150 pounds of springs and 50 pounds of pinks; Roselia B, 6,200 pounds coho, 100 pounds of pinks and 200 pounds of springs.
★ + ★
We met Norman Sigmund Monday, June 26, in at Campbell Avenue with a 110,000 pound trip of mixed bottom fish aboard his dragger Tracy Lee.
★ * *
Alex Deardon, owner of the Ruth G 2, has been shrimp fishing up Comox way. We see A*lex has now switched over to seining and wiU be fishing Co-op this year.
★ ★ ★
Benson's Shipyard has recently completed a 21 foot aluminum pleasure craft which is powered by an 85 hp Volvo engine sold by Northern Engine Company. The Yard is considering going into the commercial field with aluminum craft, . provided there is any interest in them.
★ * ★
We   saw  John   Chambers of
Westview, trollcr Miss Dodie, tied up at Campbell Avenue.
★ ★ ★
We met Dan Sigmund, (roller Eldo, who was in Friday, June 30, with a good trip of 6,800 pounds of coho and 500 pounds of springs. Dan's trip brought a top price of 41 cents for coho which caused quite a stir among the fish buyers. The reason is obvious — the company buying the trip jumped Thursday's price of 37 cents by four cents in a
single day. Fish knives were nearly drawn.
★ ★ ★
Also in Friday, June 30, was Albert LeClair, trollcr Silver Lure from Winter Harbor, with a good trip of 5,000 pounds of coho and 600 pounds of springs. Albert was unloading his trip at Campbell Dock alongside of Dan Sig-mund's troller Eldo.
★ ★ ★
Among other recent troll landings are the Norob, 3,000 pounds of coho selling to Seafood Products: Missidor (second trip) 5,800 pounds of coho to McCallum Sales; Fulmar 2, 4,000 pounds coho, few springs to North American Fish: Beau, 4,700 pounds of coho, some springs, to BC Packers.
★ ★ *
We hear that Burrard Shipyard of West Georgia Street has been taken over by Allied Builders Limited of 145 West First Avenue.
★ ★ *
We met Mr. and Mrs. Lud Hur-ford, troller Fulmar 2, at Campbell Avenue. Lud was in with a 5.000 pound trip of coho Thursday last week. The couple are from Eagle Harbor.
★ ★ *
We hear a number of the fishermen who have been fishing srrfelt off Point Grey have done very well — prices from 10 to 12 cents a pound. The season closed temporarily on July 5.
★ ★ ★
TROLL LANDINGS THIS WEEK: Chiller, 9,000 pounds of coho, some springs, selling to McCallum Sales; Miss Joni, 3,700 pounds of coho; Sheila Mac, 5,300 pounds of coho; Ocean Troller, 4,000 pounds of coho; Ocean Sunrise, 4,000 pounds of coho, the four vessels selling to Seafood Products; Eldo, 6,800 pounds of coho, 500 pounds of springs; Silver Lure, 5,000 pounds of coho, 600 pounds of springs, the latter two reportedly selling to Babcock Fisheries.
★ ★ ★
One of the busy spots for fish landings these days is the .Vancouver Fishermen's Co-op on Commissioner Street. The Co-operator I was recently in with 105,000 pounds. The report on their Prince Rupert plant is very good with excellent troll landings. Top boat was Frank Am-stutz with his new troller Fan Isle in with 16,400 pounds of fish — 5,500 pounds of coho, 4,400 pounds of springs and 6,500 pounds of halibut.
★ * ★
The trollcr Oslo was in Wednesday, July 5, with 3,800 pounds of coho and some springs, selling to Vancouver Shell Fish.
the mails with 59 representations compared with only five from unions. This is typical of any representations which are made to government.
Is it any wonder that corporations in this country get their way so often?
It may well be, of course, that they expect to get their way, having put up the money to get this Tory government into office and the Liberal government before it.
QUITE a few of the representations from corporations complained that the Bill should be harsher In its treatment of unions and that much more searching inquiries should be made into the operations of unions.
Whether or not these representations will have any effect this year remains to be seen. You can be quite sure, however, that in years to come reactionary governments, such as the one we now have, if they are in office, will put more and more strictures upon the operations of unions and allow more and more freedoms for the corporations.
All of this points to the great need for political activity on the part of the working class, for without such political activity they will find that their rights and freedoms will gradually be removed.
Bill C-70 is an example of this. British Columbia's Bill 42 is another example. Newfoundland's anti-labor laws, drafted by Liberal premier Joey Smallwood, are another.
★    ★ *
EACH of the above mentioned parties, Liberals, Tories, and Social Crediters, claim they are friends of the workers.
Yet their actions prove they are not, and never can be, for they   get   their   money from those   who   want   favors for themselves at the expense of the working class. Those who would "protect" and seduce us at the same time claim that it is for our own good, that we are being   led   astray and robbed.
The sad part of all of this is that a number of working class people believe they are going to be protected from something by those whose record is black as black can be.
The history of corporations in Canada is that they are selfish, greedy and inhuman, looking only for a fast buck at the expense of the worker, the consumer, and the taxpaying citizen.
LABOR
MHK-NETIQNS
ECONOMIC TERMS'.
Assets:
WUAT YOU NEED TO QE.T A LOM4 VOU WOULDN'T WEED IF VOU HAD ASSETS
CURRENT
liability:
UNPAID ELECTR\C E>lt_L.
CjROSS NATIONAL^
product:
FAT CITIZEN
LEQAL TENDER'.
SOFT HE ARTEt> LAWYER,. V
UNEARNED INCOME.:
WUAT THE FELLOW WORK IN Q NEXT \\# Tt> YOU CXETS.
-tJE5>66U    Cbpyri£it«dl labor features
A Couple of Real Ones
Surprises in My Life
The first real surprise in my life, I'll never forget. It happened this way.
I was on the New Fraser at the time, and in town after a trip.
Boy, did we lap it up those two first days. At 9:30 the third morning, I awoke and shook my head. A vague recollection of a party with a minister, flowers, and witnesses flickered through my mind.
Thinking this over, my eyes 'I had a couple I hat time) gradually focussed on the floor, and what did I see?
A pair of lady's shoes with open toes under my bed, that's what.
By then I began to get panicky, but summoned enough nerve to sneak a timid look to the left of me, and there she was. It was no dream, she was real, and by all the legal laws in the land she was my wife; she had a certificate to prove it.
The second real surprise in my life came after receiving an unexpected invitation by vivacious good looking Millie to attend a farewell party for Homer.
Millie was very persistent despite my honest reluctance to appear in my work clothes and unkempt condition.
Homer had not arrived on the scene yet, I noticed, but our illustrious bit of femininity from the
Settlement office, ever proficient, did not waste any time waiting for him, and instantly launched into a touching farewell speech.
By the time she was half way through, my jaw-hinges let go and my ears started burning; the light suddenly dawned and the second real surprise in my lift-was born.
Homer himself never received a farewell speech like that I'll bet, which again goes to prove good old sex appeal is superior to looks and brains, anylimc, and a mere "thank you" seems so inadequate to express my sincere feelings of gratitude to the officers and staff of the Union and Settlement Service for the gift and attention showered on an entirely unsuspecting leg expert like me. So I am now looking forward to returning the compliment <and don't for a moment think I too can't spring surprises).
"For Legs" Committee
Chairman
M. BENSON.
/Editor's Note; The gang at the Fishermen's Hall, in appreciation for the many things Martin Benton did while auailing a call to go out paci-ing, threw a small surprise party in his honor. The "legs" referred to arc attached to a couple of tables in the membership lounge. They were legless i, >iutil Martin put his talents to work.)