Industry
p. 33 · Read in the full issue
Japanese Fishers
Ruin of Australian Pearling Industry
JAPANESE fishing boats are responsible for more than the spoliation of tro chus beds around New Guinea and the Solomons.
The principle pearlers of Darwin (North Australia) are complaining that their in dustry has been brought to a non-paying basis by the Japanese fishing north of Darwin. Unless assistance was given, they said, the Australian industry would cease to exist.
The pearlers said that the Japanese were fishing under cheaper conditions.
They paid no duty on their rice and equipment, and their labour was cheaper.
Australian pearlers paid four times as much for the rice for their crews. They had to import labour at high cost and pay heavy licence fees and heavy duty on diving materials.
Captain McClymont, Harbourmaster at Apia, left Samoa for New Zealand on leave by the Maui Pomare, in April.