'age 2
THE F I SH ERMAN
September 20, 1955
THE FISHERMAN
Published every Tuesday except the last Tuesday of each month by The Fisherman Publishing Society, 301 Powell Street.
G. NORTH — Editor — Phone: MArine 1829 Authorised as Second-Glass Mail by Post Office Department, Ottawa COPY DEADLINE: Sunday noon preceding each issue.
Give With One Hand, Take With the Other
JHE FISHERMAN has repeatedly stated that fishing companies have only one guiding principle when selling their salmon . . . how much will the traffic bear?
What the fishermen receive is not the basis for setting consumer prices nor is there any other factor that we can see but the simple one involving the profit motive. If fishermen were getting one cent' per pound for sockeye right now, the consumer price would very likely be pretty close to what it is today.
According to press reports last week, the Fisheries Association increased its canned salmon prices so that consumers would be paying an additional six cents per can for sockeye, and eight cents for cohoe.
Ron Gadsby, speaking for the Association, is quoted as stating that the poor catch this season is the primary reason for the increases but that "increased prices to fishermen" were also a factor.
Which is quite the usual method of passing off price increases. Mr. Gadsby and the Association would be unique if they didn't blame the workers for price boosts.
But it is rather unusual to wait two months after prices to fishermen have been settled to start using the modest increases they received as propaganda to justify a tremendous boost to the consumer.
Sockeye prices went up two cents per pound to fishermen. This means a cent increase on a half pound tin of salmon. But the canners made it six and put five cents into the profit side of their ledgers. We are of course convinced that the slight increase given to fishermen could easily have been absorbed without forcing the public to pay the bill.
It is significant that when negotiations were concluded in July, the Union negotiating committee through spokesman Homer Stevens foresaw the present move and warned the public that hikes to them were unwarranted.
"We certainly hope the canners will not try to raise prices at the consumer level during the next period of time. We believe present prices are more than adequate, to meet the terms of the new contract and any increases in canned salmon prices would only increase the canners' margin at the expense of the public."
Truly ironical is the announcement which came almost simultaneously with that of the increase. It was by H. R. MacMillan, head of B.C. Packers (and other companies) who commemorated his birthday with a $500,000 gift toward education and research in British Columbia.
For this he was hailed by the newspapers with an intensive fervor. But when MacMillan proceeded to snatch the half million back in increased profits from canned salmon, not a word of criticism wad heard.
Price hikes were unnecessary in canned salmon just as the exorbitant profits enjoyed by MacMillan are unnecessary. He would indeed be making a much greater gift to posterity than his niggardly half million were he to curb his excessive profiteering by giving the workers who have made him rich, a fair share of the money he reaps.
Manufacturers of:
• BRAIDED LEADLINES
• BRAIDED NYLON LINES
• BRAIDED CORK LINES
• SPUN BRAID HANGING TWINES
CANADA ROPES LTD,
377 No. 3 Rood, Vancouver 14, B.C.
time:*
THE STUFF BETWE.E.N PAYDAYS
TV COMMERCIAL*.
THE PAUSE. THAT DEPRESSES
Satos Thank Sointula Folk
Ko Sato, owner of the drum seiner "Vera Cruz," and his brother Y. Sato ("Sunshine") wish to thank the people of Sointula who helped right their vessel and beach her when she overturned near Sointula September 8.
The two were in town at the time and it is understood the "Vera Cruz," built only 2% months ago, was underway when she overturned.
It is unofficially estimated that damage will exceed $7,000 but the boys will know more definitely this week when she goes up on the ways in Vancouver.
The vessel was in the water 14 hours before she was beached and pumped out by Malcolm Island folks to whom the Satos extend their deep appreciation. She should be ready for fishing again in about 10 days.
Canada, Russia to Swap Fishermen?
LONDON (Reuters): James Sinclair of Canada told a press conference aboard the Soviet refrigerating ship "Vityaz" at Vladivostok that Canada and Russia have agreed to an exchange of fishermen for training purposes, the Soviet news agency Tass reported today.
(Van. rlerald, Sept. 12.)
AFTER mentioning that the Vancouver Herald had called the Community Chest and Council the COMMUNIST Chest and Council, we thought that was as far as they would go in typographical errors.
On Saturday, however, they had a picture of Cantor Arie Horvitz sounding the Shofar, sacred ram's horn, to usher in the Jewish New Year.
But instead of sacred, they called it the "SCARED ram's horn."
O O O
But then, I guess we did something almost as bad last week when we broke young Norman Stavenes' leg in this column. We knew it was a limb but we have now been officially informed that Norman broke his arm. O O <*
Troll prices in the city last week were 35 cents for cohoe, 45 for mild cure, and 18 cents for humps. Somewhere between 28 and 30 trollers delivered in Vancouver last week and most of the boys were calling it quits for the season, with a few going out fish buying. $ 0 O
Following is a list of trollers arriving in port with their trips: Gordon M I, 3,500 pounds; Gordon M 2, 6,000; R. W., 1,300; Western Boy, 1,500; Runo, 1,800; Hike, 1,200; Francis S, 2,000; Tanger, 1,500; Fulmar 2, 1,200; Muriel D, 2, 1,300; Spray I, 6,000; F. G. W., 1,500; Gustav, 3,000; Ruth G, 1,400; Joy Sea, 3,000; Crown, 2,500; Shiela Mac, 1,200; Little Clipper, 1,300; North Cap, 1,700; Janet V, 1,800; Aleutian, 2,100; Deep Sea, 3,500; Marjon D, 7,000; Western Standard, 4,000; Bonnilla, 1,900; Earl Roy, 2,000; Lilimac, 2,000; Madelon C, 1,000 pounds.
O i> i> The "Teeny Milly" called into port last week with a trip consisting of 11,000 black cod, 17 cents per pound, 1,500 halibut, and 3,000 red cod.
By ZERO TI»E
Heard a report at last Thursday's Shore Local meeting that only one employee at Coal Harbor Whaling Station is not a member of the Union. He is A. Hole.
O 0 S Pete Danielson of Vancouver, troller "Kitty D" would like to take this opportunity of thanking his fellow troller "Sterling" of Prince Rupert, who gave such wonderful help during the sinking of the troller "Sea Star." The "Sterling" lost two fishing days while giving his help when "Sea Star" went down in Naden Harbor. Many thanks go out | to Capt. Henry of the Canfisco j packer "Cape Perry" for the assistance he gave on this occas-' sion.
! 0 0 0
Paid a visit to Mr. A. Simpson,
sales manager of White Motors, j 1845 West Georgia Street, formerly the National Supply Com-j pany. Mr. Simpson tells me the Union Steamships' MV "Cas-
siar" which has been making the headlines lately as an ice-breaker in the Arctic, is powered by one of their 1,440 HP. Superior Diesel Engines. Saw one of the Company's new Deutz Diesels in operation; these fellows are powered from 10 to 250 H.P. Noticed also that the Company has a new shipment of 27 Chrysler engines, ranging from 90 to 250 H. P.
0 0 0
Met Gerry Cadorin of Sointula. troller "Sea Raider" who was in Vancouver last week.
0 0 0
Met Leo Carter of the troller
"Spray 1" who was packing his gear down to the boat last
See FISH AND SHIPS—Page 6
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THE END MAN IS A WOMAN
The fishing industry of Canada is important to Canada's prosperity and yours.
Jhe men who work in it are skilled and hardy—good citizens.
It is sometimes difficult to realize that even in such a virile atmosphere os this—women play a most important part. But it's so.
The chain which begins with the fisherman, and continues through the truck driver, processor, railroader, retailer, ends with the housewife who buys the fish.
And her decision to keep on buying fish depends on one thing— freshness. Quality that is always dependable.
That is why every man along the line must remember the woman at the end; why he must make it his personal responsibility to see fish reaches her— always—at its freshest, most delicious best.