Fishing and Marine

[1908] DESIRABLE EMIGRANTS.

500 Scottish fisherman are anxious to proceed to Australia, for the purpose of starting fish caring and canning. They ask for assisted passages.

[1908] THE FISHING INDUSTRY.

The four delegates sent out by the Scottish fisherman to investigate the condition of Australian fisheries have accepted an invitation by the Government to come to South Australia to enquire into the prospect of improving the fishing industry in this state. The visit will be made after the inspection of the New South Wales fisheries is completed.

[1908] The Scottish fisherman, whose visit to South Australia is being awaited with considerable interest, are pursuing their investigations in Sydney. Their enquiries have detained them in New South Wales much longer than was expected, and the probable date of their arrival in Adelaide is somewhat indefinite. The steamer Governor Musgrave, which will take them for a trip around our coast, is ready to start so soon as they arrive.

[1908]  THE SCOTTISH FISHERMEN, ARRIVAL IN ADELAIDE, A WARM WELCOME.

[This is a long article, so it has been condensed. - Ed.]

The Scottish fishing delegates (Messrs. W. W. Newlands, J. Eaglesham, W. Grieve, and M. Grieve) arrived in Adelaide by the express from Melbourne on Tuesday morning. Mr. S. McIntosh (Deputy Chief Inspector of Fisheries) joined the party at Murray Bridge, and came through with them to the city. At the Adelaide railway-station they were met by Mr. E. J. Field (on behalf of Mr. T. Duffield, Chief Inspector of Fisheries), Mr. Alfred Searcy, and Mr. J. W. Sandford (chief of the South Australian Caledonian Society), together with nine or ten members of the council of that body. With kindly forethought, arrangements were made to extend to the visitors the privileges of honorary membership of the Commercial Travellers' Club, and a pleasant half-hour was spent there with members of the Caledonian Society. Mr. Sandford, who welcomed the delegates on behalf of the Caledonian Society, said they represented an important industry, and if Scotchmen here could assist them by advice or otherwise, they would be only too willing to do so. (Cheers.) They recognised that the delegates were brother Scots, and although Scotchmen here were far distant from the old country, their hearts were still loyal to the old spot. (Cheers.) They would be glad it it were found that South Australian waters lent themselves to the fishing industry. If any waters should do so it was those of the Southern Ocean. There were many inlets, bays, and islands, especially along the Great Australian Bight, where he thought fish abounded, where an industry could be established on profitable lines, and where hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of their fellow countrymen could be settled. (Cheers) On behalf of the Caledonian Society he gave them a cordial welcome. . . . 

PROSPECTS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA. A HOPEFUL OUTLOOK.

Mr. W. Newlands, chief representative of the Scottish fishing delegates, who arrived in Adelaide on Tuesday, was interviewed in the afternoon at the South Australian Hotel by a representative of "The Advertiser." . . . He mentioned that their visit to Australia was the outcome of a depression in the fishing industry in Scotland, and their mission now rival to see for themselves the possibility of the development of the industry in these waters. Many fishermen in the old country, he added, were anxiously awaiting advices, and letters were continually coming to hand from those who were anxious to come out and make Australia their home. They recognised, however, that the method of distribution of fresh fish, of canning, of smoking and curing, and the manufacture of fish fertiliser and fish oils must be in practical work before these men could come out to Australia with their families. Much would depend on their reports, and they fully appreciated the facilities which the South Australian Government were placing at their disposal to enable them to carry out their investigations in these waters.

"The scarcity of the fish at home," he added, "has been a serious item to our people, and prior to the outbreak of the war in South Africa I was in the Argentine Republic with the idea of ascertaining what prospects there were there for the development of the industry and the employment of our fishermen. . . .

"It might surprise many people to know that South Australia was the first State we visited. We arrived here during the Easter holidays, and at once started to make enquiries, but could get no satisfactory answers, so after staying here for a couple of days we went on to Sydney. 

"The first fish we saw on the visit were off Kangaroo Island, where for eight hours we sailed through a big school of herring. Such a splendid indication of fish I have never before seen during the whole of my 35 years' experience in the business. There were some doubts as to whether the fish were herring, but on arrival at Port Adelaide I had an opportunity of opening a large fish, and found inside it a herring 4 or 5 in. in length. While I was in Sydney Sir William Lyne informed me he could take us to a place where we could sail through schools of herring for 50 hours, so you can imagine our confidence in the future of the industry here. With Scotch people, you. know, the pursuit of the pelagic fishes is a very important industry, and we claim to know all about the business. 

"We have carefully examined the New South Wales fisheries, and are quite satisfied as to the future there. If the South Australian fisheries come anywhere near to those we have seen, we shall be able to send our people's most favorable report, and such a guarantee that they may prepare to come out here. After our trip we shall be able better to say what the future holds for the fishing industry in these waters.

"I can say, however, that the indications in Australia are more favorable than those of the Argentine Republic ever were or can hope to be.  . . .  so we much prefer to deal with 'our own folk.' It has now been decided to cease the Argentine negotiations, and the capital will be diverted to Australia. Let me say also that our coming here will not interfere with the local fishermen already established in the business, but rather that their position will be improved by the better facilities and higher prices which they will receive for their catch.

"I am glad to be able to say that all our negotiations are proceeding satisfactorily. The Federal and New South Wales Governments have met us as far as possible, and we are hoping that nothing will occur to interfere with the progress of our work. . . . Within four years we expect that fully 5,000 fishermen from Great Britain will be engaged in the industry in this country. I am speaking, of course, on the assumption that the Governments will assist us as suggested. We require assisted passages, land for settlement, and certain concessions, such as rebate of wharf dues, &c., so that we will not be put to a great deal of expenditure in placing the catch on the markets of the Commonwealth. Should these concessions be granted, there is every prospect of a big business being worked up in Australia. We have the capital behind us for investment as soon as we are ready.

We deal with both edible and non-edible fish. In fact everything is fish that comes to our nets, and not the least important branch of the business is the manufacture of by-products in the form of fertilisers and oils. . . . I understand that Japan has almost a monopoly of the trade in fish oils in Australia at present, but we are confident that we can compete with the world here and build up a big industry. You have to remember also that the Scottish crofter-fisherman and farmer is the best settler in the world, and that by establishing the fishing industry here we will also be forming the nucleus of a future navy for the Commonwealth."

MR O'LOUGHLIN, THE SCOTCH FISHERMEN AND SEDDON.

TO THE EDITOR

SIR ,— For some weeks past the Commissioner of Crown Lands (Mr O'Loughlin) has advertised the southern portion of the Hundred of Seddon, K.I., as land that would be available for allotment for farming etc. Since representatives of Scotch fishermen (men who are fishermen, not seekers of land) visited here he (Mr O'Loughlin) has with-drawn the land and is holding it over pending the reply of the Scotchmen as to their movements. From what I can glean Mr O'Loughlin practically intends giving rank outsiders the pick of Seddon, leaving out in the cold the natives and bona fide farmers who have a right to the pick of South Aus-tralia— men, moreover, who have the cash and plant to work the land for all it is worth. Within the last few week dozens of land settlers have been visiting Seddon and only one of these (and this man went along the backbone, the only part of not much value, and back the same track) went away growling. Such men as those are not wanted here. Why should the Scots get the preference, especially when the new hundred unnamed, now being surveyed, will be open later for them. By getting the Seddon land in November of this year, the successful applicants can roll immediately and got a good burn in February, but by holding the land till after Christmas it will be too late to roll and burn for the coming seeding so they lose a year for the chance of a few new chums coming to populate our perfect little Island.— I am Sir, etc., ONE WAITING FOR SEDDON.

Scottish Fishermen.

[1908]  USE OF TRAWLS IN GULFS.

A large number of fishermen held a meeting at Kingscote this week to discuss the expected arrival of the Scotch fishermen. Representatives from seven of the largest cutters belonging to the fishing fleet and local fishermen were present. After a lengthy discussion the following resolution was passed : — ' That delegates be appointed to interview the Premier to protest against the use of trawls in St. Vincent and Spencer's Gulfs, from a line drawn from Cape Willoughby to Newland Head on the eastern side to a line drawn from Cape Borda to Williams Island on the west, and also against the use of trawls within the three mile limit round the South Australian coast.' The delegates appointed at the meeting to interview the Premier are Messrs P. Hanson (cutter 'Rover'), L. Williamson (cutter 'Renown'), and H. Southcott (cutter 'Vectis'). The fishermen state that unless the trawl is prohibited within the area named the present fishing grounds will be ruined, as the trawl passing over the bottom destroys the weed growing there and when this is gone the grounds are no further use for fishing. Particulars of the meeting have been sent to the various fishing centres along the coast.