PEARL BEDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 43, 19 January 1938, Page 2

PEARL BEDS

JAPANESE PLANS FEARED. PLIGHT OF INDUSTRY. DARWIN, Dec. 30, The threatened invasion by Japanese 'pearling luggers of the pearl-shell beds off Ninety Mile Beach, Western Australia, lias caused grave perturbation among local pearlers who fear that the Australian industry cannot survive Japanese competition for more than two years. Prices havo fallen steadily from £l4O a ton to about £9O since this year’s season began and it is feared that any further over-production resulting from Japanese activities will force prices to a level at which Australian luggers will find it unprofitable to operate. REQUEST FOR SUBSIDY. Because of the threat to the industry, it is likely that the local pearlers will apply to the Government for a subsidy to enable them to meet Japanese competition and depressed prices. Two years ago the Tariff Board recommended against a bounty, but agreed that some assistance was needed, and as a result considerable rebel was given by a release from primage and customs duty on essential equipment and stores. In addition to their other problems, local pearlers are experiencing difficulty in obtaining trained divers, all of whom are indentured Japanese. They are trained by Australians, and when their indentures expire they return to Japan and enter Japanese employment as experienced divers, with the paradoxical result that the local pearlers have trained the men who are now crippling their industry. DENUDING OF GROUNDS. In addition to the element of competition, under which Australia, which in 1930 supplied 85 per cent, of the world’s pearl-shell requirements, has been superseded by Ja.pan, there is a danger, according to the Payne Committee’s report, that with the intensive Japanese operations, existing pearl shell is likely soon to be exhausted.

“It is only in recent years,” adds tho report, “that the Japanese owners have built their fleets to such large numbers, and it is.estimated that if they continue operations on the present scale, the present known pearlshell grounds may be cleaned out in about two years’ time. Thus, the future for the industry at Darwin is uncertain.”

The committee recommended that a Pearling Development Board should be formed to advise on pearling matters, and to work with the Administration in protecting the interests of Darwin pearlers. The Japanese fleet, which already numbers about 130 well-equipped luggers, supplied by motherships, will probably be divided, with sections working from Broome, around the North Australian coast, into the Gulf of Carpentaria. Conflicting reports are current regarding the intentions of the Japanese next season. It was reported to the Administrator (Mr Abbott) recently, that the Japanese fleet would number 200 vessels. On the other hand, local agents for the Japanese state that the size of the luggers is being increased, rather than the numerical strength of the fleet. AUSTRALIAN PATROLS.

The Northern Territory Administration plans to maintain a continuous patrol of the Arnhem Land coast next pearling season, and the patrol service will work ill close co-operation with the naval authorities. As soon, as the new patrol boat, which is being built at Cockatoo Dockyards is commissioned, a. base will be established at Elclio Island, and the new patrol will operate from there. Stores and fuel for the crew of the patrol will be. taken to the island and the patrol will be absent from Darwin for months at a time. The present patrol boat Larr.akia will be based at Darwin and used as a crash boat in the event of emergency or an accident to a mail ’plane on the Timor Sea, and for shorter patrols.