TheTUherm&n
— Official Organ — Pacific Coast Fishermen's Union Salmon Purse Seiners' Union, Local 141
The Only Fishermen's Trade Union Paper in British Columbia
VOL. II. No. 34
VANCOUVER, B.C., SEPTEMBER 26, 1939
(68 ) «&>-®
PKiCE: 5 Cents.
REQUESTS BETTER LIGHT AT NORTH ARM OF FRASER
Old Piling Left Standing at Entrance Constitutes Danger
At the request of many members of the PCFU, Vic Hill, secretary, has appealed to the Marine Agent at Victoria, to have the light strengthened at the entrance to the North Arm of the Fraser River.
In bad weather, from the low deck of a fishing boat it is difficult to distinguish between the first and second lights on the North Arm Jetty.
Quite a number of boats this season have headed for the second light in mistake for the first, and in some cases have run aground on the bar leaving themselves in a dangerous position, and suffering considerable damage.
The PCFU is asking the government to either strengthen the first light or else to change the color of the light so that it will not be confused with the second light, or with the light at Spanish Banks.
Major Motherwell has also been requested by the PCFU to investigate and procure removal of some piling in the vicinity that was alleged to have been left standing by a construction outfit near the entrance to the North Arm of the Fraser, as this is also a danger to fishermen using the river.
The Fisheries official has promised to do what he can in the matter to assist the fishermen.
JSC Loggers Map War Program
District Council Issues Statement
B.C. District Council of International Woodworkers of America (loggers and sawmill workers) at a special meeting held in Cowichan Lake Sunday, September 10, issued a four-point statement on its position in regard to the war and the lumber workers.
The statement is a four-point program dealing with: (1) Defense of Canada, in which the union pledges full support to the Canadian government, and (2) Preservation of Civil Liberties, and (3) For conscription of wealth and industry, and (4) For full restriction on profiteering.
The statement calls on the workers in ■the industry to maintain their living standards and to build up the union as the safest guarantee to win the four-point program and make it effective.
bI s;
Saint John, New Brunswick, reports the discovery of a 14-pound salmon inside of a 425-pound shark caught in a salmon net near Somerville. .
Defending Our Shores
Several members of the BC Fishermen's Naval Reserve are now doing active service guarding the coast of British Columbia. Pictured above Is Tony Barcot, ir.ember of the Salmon Purse Seiners' Union signalling the fleet back to Ksquimalt.
Fishing Season End For NITCA
Handled Over Million And Half Lbs. of Fish
North Island Co-operative Association ceased its season's operations last Wednesday, September 20, and has pulled in its camp to winter quarters in Massett Inlet.
Final production figures are not yet available, but it is estimated that the association handled upwards of 1,500,000 lbs. of fish this year.
The Association's packer "Hickey" is at present out on charter to Canadian Fish and Cold Storage Company of Prince Rupert who are using her to pack dog salmon from Johnstone Straits.
It is understood that directors of the association will meet shortly with the board of its sister organization in Prince Rupert to work out methods jointly for the amalgamation that was decided upon earlier this year.
Co-op Educator Comes To BC
Will Assist Dr. Shrum To Develop Work Here
Mr. Norman McKenzie of Nova Scotia, arrived in Vancouver last week to assist Dr. Gordon Shrun of the Etension Department of the UBC in his projected plans to further co-op education in this Province.
Mr. McKenzie, we are informed has had much practical eperience in co-op endeavor among the fishermen of the Maritime provinces, and the knowledge and enthusiasm that he brings should prove of inestimable value to the movement in BC.
We feel assured that he will receive every possible assistance from all groups and individuals interested in permanently improving the lot of the exploited fishermen.
Marine Traffic Regulations Governing Port Of Vancouver
Public Traffic Regulations Previously Issued Shall Be Known as No. 1.
BY ORDER OF THE NAVAL OFFICER IN CHARGE, AND THE HARBOR MASTER OF THE PORT OF VANCOUVER.
1. All vessels entering the Port of Vancouver must close the Examination Vessel within hailing distance.
2. In the case of vessels towing logs, the morse signal "A" (.—) shall be given by them; the Examination Steamer, when free from other duties, will close the towing vessel.
3. In the event of fog during the hours of official night (See Notice to Mariners, Public Traffic Regulations No. 1), the harbor will be closed
East of the following lines of bearing: (Continued on Page Six)
SKIPPER PAYS FOR DISCRIMINATION OF SEINEBOAT MEN
Crew Lost One Week's Fishing Pending a Settlement of Dispute
Pending the settlement of a dispute between the skipper and the crew of the salmon senier "Z Brothers," under charter to Canadian Fish Co. the boat was tied up for several days recently-in Vancouver.
Three members of the crew were dismsised by the skipper who it is, alleged was under the influence of liquor. The men concerned immediately put the matter in the hands of then-union.
When questioned, the skipper admitted that he had no real reason for firing the men and was willing to take them back.
This, however, was not enough, as the entire crew had lost a week's fishing over the incident and had been unjustly treated. The captain naturally wanted to take the men back, seeing as how it was not possible to get a crew together in Vancouver, all union men refusing to sail in her while the present disagreement remained unsettled.
The decision was eventually arrived at whereby the skipper agreed to pay the entire crew for their lost time and take them all back. This was done.
The discussion carried out by union officials and the skipper was in the presence of Mr. Clark, representing the Canadian Fish Co., and Mr. Clark severely reprimanded the captain for his actions. He also gave the union representatives his unqualified assurance that he will take drastic steps against any skipper in his company who is guilty of similar discriminatory methods.
Whilst the outcome of this incident demonstrates the power to which our union has grown, it should be borne in mind by all fishermen that this power is not to be usurped by union members, and while the union endeavors to protect its members against any ill-treatment by companies or boat captains, members of crews must submit to reasonable discipline.
All grievances on board should be referred to the boat delegate in the presence of the entire crew in the first instance, and failing a satisfactory solution, it then should be submitted to union headquarters.
Fishing News
Little information has come to hand regarding the run of fish in the recent period. Bute, Toba and Loughborough are reported as fair fishing as is also Johnstone Straits.
Fraser River was closed last week and reports indicate that poor fishing was experienced on the west coast with a few cohoes caught at Port Renfrew.