Page 2
THE FISHERMAN
December 7, 1954
THE FISHERMAN
G. NORTH—Editor — Phone: MArine 1829 Published Every Tuesday Except the Last Tuesday of Each Month by The Fisherman Publishing Society, 301 Powell St., Vancouver, B.C. Authorised as Second-Class Mail by Post Office Department, Ottawa
Refrigerated Packer Plan Threat to Fish Workers
WE have had the strange spectacle in recent weeks of so-called independent fish buyers posing as the saviors of the British Columbia fishing industry.
The three buyers who have emerged in the ill-fitting garb of crusaders, James Pope, Carl Ellison, and Alec Galloway, have advanced the thesis that refrigerated packers should be legalised in the B.C. fishing industry.
They have argued that travelling time would be saved, that costs would be cut, and that a higher quality product would be put on the market.
These arguments are specious and advanced only to cloak the real move behind the scenes. That is, to open the door to American firms to send refrigerated ships here, pick up fish, freeze it, and take it to United States'^orts for processing.
It is no secret, of course, that American buyers are behind this sudden demand for refrigerated packers, and they have expended considerable time and some few dollars in an attempt to sell the idea.
Both the United Fishermen and Allied Workers Union and the Fisheries Association have expressed opposition to the proposal.
The Union, though the matter will require final decision at the convention next March, has pointed to the obvious dangers which this plan suggests.
First, of course, there is the fallacy of lower costs and consequently easier competition which the buyers make out to be so important. But the facts are that British Columbia fish products are selling at reasonable prices, both at home and abroad, and finding ready sales in every country into which they are able to find entry.
Basic reason for failure to expand or win back export markets has not been price, but matters of economic policy as with the dollar-pound barrier in regard to the British market, and government policy in regard to trade with countries with differing political systems.
One of the buyers, a Mr. Galloway, has referred to use of freezers as a means of "putting a quality product on the market." Mr .Galloway went on to say that, 'As it is now, many of the fish are rotten before they reach the canneries."
That, of course, is pure malarkey. The quality of B.C.-produced fish is generally high and only fails where fishermen are too lax to properly ice fish or where companies are careless in handling it. We could mention that illegally-caught fish— fish taken up creeks and purchased by unscrupulous buyers— constitute a threat to a final quality product.
But the cure for these evils is not refrigerated packers. Tighter laws and more rigid enforcement together with a discriminating approach by fishing companies and more attention by careless fishermen provide the answer to poor quality fish.
As Union business agent Alex Gordon has pointed out, in the B.C. fishing industry distances are so short that there is no logical reason for the plan.
If the freezership plan were to be put into effect, where would the shoreworkers end up? Naturally, on the breadline, because all but a small skeleton force would be frozen out of the industry.
The fear has been expressed that the legalising of these ships would open the way to operation of floating canneries off our shores and that, too, is a real possibility.
As we have stated, the object of this new move is for American processors to more conveniently obtain raw fish which won't see a Canadian fish processing plant.
Our fish would, like too many of the raw materials of our great country, go across the line for processing.
That's the last thing we want. But that's what a few local men acting to suit their personal advantages are seeking to foist upon the fishing industry.
We feel certain that the opposition so far expressed by the Union and the Fisheries Association will be intensified to meet this threat. The Union in particular, since it is primarily concerned with the welfare of its membership, must make certain that the full implications of this plan are widely known. Jobs are scarce enough as it is without dishing them out across the line.
Greetings for Our Xmas Issue
QUR third issue this month will be the annual Christmas number of The Fisherman, an enlarged edition of the paper printed in green and carrying special material.
Each year, many of the firms connected with the fishing industry take this occasion to express season's greetings to the fishermen, shoreworkers, and their families.
This is a reminder to firms which have not been contacted by a representative of The Fisherman that they have until the end of this week to send along copy for this special issue. A phone call to MArine 1829 will bring personal attention.
This issue received the widest possible circulation throughout the industry. Personal greetings from individuals in the industry to their friends will also be carried under a special heading at a very modest cost (think of all the Christmas cards that won't have to be sent.) But please rush your copy to The Fisherman at 301 Powell Street as speedily as possible.
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1931 West Georgia (L,IM£TM(2> Vancouver 5; Canada
UNION PROBLEMS - - - By KEN HOMER
JANUARY-ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS
AT LOC/U-OffRcO MEMBERS PRESE"NT(0((£
---how come sam C0I1E ? WELL Cam'
Got into the'Doghousc0last Niter. . ANO felt he SHOULD get POWH to the meeting --EVEN IF it ment being- elected to some job
TUNET - CANNERS LATEST PRICE OFFER
AT LOCAL (ZERO) ALL HANDS ON DECK
AND H0WC0MC SAM COME ? WELL IT ALL STARTED THAT DAY IN JANUARY--/\ND V/ITH SAM — IT JUST GOT TO BE A HABIT
THE LOCAL PAINTER was exhibiting some of his work when an inquisitive matron asked, "Tell me, do you do anything in the nude?"
"Well, madam," replied the artist slowly, "Occasionally I take a bath."
★ * *
LET'S face it. Give a man a free hand and he'll have it all over a woman.
★ * *
ARMY DOCTOR: "Have you any physical defects?"
Inductee: "Yes, no guts." ' * ★ ★
GROOM: Have you kissed the bride?
Best man (absently): Oh, yes, hundreds of times.
★ * ★
The marriages in Hollywood Are love in fullest bloom.
The bride keeps her bouquet And throws away the groom.
★ ★ ★
OVER the telephone Matthews was confiding his marital troubles to a friend, his latest and most distressing experience being a ter-
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rible row with his mother-in-law.
"I suppose," ventured the friend, "that you argued with her until you were black in the face."
"Only around the eyes," Matthews wailed.
By ZERO TIDE
ROOKING over some of the history of the fishing industry, was struck by the fact that the big Fraser River strike of 1900, involving 7,000 to 8,000 persons, while solidly supported by the people of the province, was broken by the companies. But it was broken onlv when the
penal plant office. The boys look amazingly alike and speak with the identical slow drawl. Bill had only a fair season fishing at North Island.
* * * Met George Swanson of Kyoquot
who had his troller "Odeen" up on the Kanata Marine Ways. George had a new rudder and shaft installed and also put in a new echo sounder. George is spending the winter in the city.
*.*,'"* Also from Kyoquot are Mr. and Mrs. Ted Bings, troller "Varden." Ted and the family will be spending a month or more in the city.
★ ★ ★ Most welcome voice this past
week was not that of Santa Claus but George "Jamie" Jamieson, who phoned to make sure he doesn't miss any copies of The Fisherman. George is confined to a wheel chair following a serious accident in the • Kildonan Cold Storage plant over four years ago. George's back was broken when the cold storage elevator cage crashed down on him. He spent two years in hospital but is now at home. An ardent Union man, George keenly follows developments in the industry through The Fisherman. He wishes his many friends the best and they in turn do the same, we know.
* ★ ★ Menchions Shipyard has the Mas-sett seine fleet of "Haida Warrior," "Hilda Girl," "Western Ace," and "Don Marie" up for a checkover and minor repairs.
★ ★ ★ See FISH & SHIPS—page 6
militia was brought into the fight, well-armed with orders to "shoot to kill if the need should arise."
You've heard that trade union song "Which Side Are You On?" Well, that example of 54 years ago just goes to show whose side the government was on when the chips were down.
* ★ ★
A note from Tom Kimoto, secretary of the Ucluelet Local of the Union, and dated November 18, states: "Late in October, 'Thorough-built,' 'Marian 2,' 'Solar,' 'Rosalie 1,' 'La Perouse,' and the 'Camrose' struck out (from Queen's Cove) despite a series of southeasters and were paid off with a good run of winter springs. About 40 trollers are at Queen's Cove with fair fishing when weather permits.
"Price is still 33 cents large, 31 cents medium, and 20 cents for tinies and whites. Trollers asked B.C. Packers for a raise on November 13 but to date no increase in price." Thanks for the welcome little report, Tom, and let's hope we hear from you again soon.
* * ★
Mr. and Mrs. John Chambers
were in the city last week. John, owner of the troller "Dodie" and secretary of the Westview Local, was in the Union Hall doing business with the girls in the Union, office.
* ★ ★, To Carl Botel of Winter Harbor:
got your letter and picture of boat which will appear in our Christmas issue.
* ★ ' * Met Mr. and Mrs. Albert Ed-
wardson of Pender Harbor, gill-netter "Sea Dew," who were in Vancouver on business last week.
* ★ ★
And who should drop in for a visit but Bill Gladstone of Skide-gate, owner of the troller "Dude." Bill intends to remain in town for the winter though he may take a whack at a little trolling even | though the prospects are none too I bright. When Bill walked in to the | office, there was no mistaking that I he is the brother of Percy Glad-] stone, now employed in the Im-1
i
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