1921
CELLARDYKE FISHERMEN AND YARMOUTH SCHEME I DECLARE THAT IT IS UNFAIR TO SCOTSMEN. Cellardyke fishermen do not favour acceptance of the Yarmouth scheme in relation to the autumn fishing Yarmouth and Lowestoft.
The decision to have nothing to do with the scheme was agreed upon at a special meeting of the committee of the Cellardyke Branch of the Scottish Drift Net and Line Fishermen’s Association held in the Harbour Office, Anstruther. Mr Philip Gardner, chairman, presided.
After the various clauses were read, the Chairman said the scheme showed extreme selfishness on the part of the English representatives when the proposals were drawn up, which were very unfair to Scottish fishermen. The aim of the scheme was primarily to prevent a glut on the market, but he did not see how the proposals put forward would do that. If flags were hoisted at either of the ports no boats were to put sea before sunrise the morning following. That was all very well, but there was another rule which he considered would prove disadvantageous to Scottish fishermen, “That no herring drifters shall fish on Saturday nights between 3d October and 12th November, inclusive, nor leave their ports for the fishing grounds before sunrise on Sunday morning.” He objected to Sunday fishing. Scottish fishermen would not fish on Sundays, and the Englishmen knew that. Some Scotsmen might say they would do so, but he did not think they would, and that was where the hardship to Scotsmen would come in. Should the flag be hoisted to prevent fishing on Friday and lowered in time to allow Sunday fishing the English boats might return on Monday morning with sufficient fish to again cause the flag to be hoisted. That meant that Scottish fishermen would lose a few days’ fishing.
Another point was that fishing was prohibited until 12th November. Here again the English fishermen would benefit, as most of the Scottish boats would have departed to other fishing grounds in Scotland by 12th November. Still another point was that English drifters carry 100 nets and over, while Scottish drifters carry only 70 nets and motor boats 63 nets.
He suggested the following amendments
No Sunday fishing. Saturday fishing all the year round.
A maximum number of 70 nets to each vessel.
Unless they adopted such measures they would not free the markets for next year, and clear markets were necessary if the fishing industry was to gain prosperity.
The Secretary (Mr A. Cunningham) was instructed to convey the decision to the Association’s headquarters at Aberdeen.
PUZZLE FOR EAST FIFE SKIPPERS. PAYMENT PILOTAGE CLAIMS.
Early this year the announcement was made by the Admiralty that applications for the payment of claims for pilotage were awaited from skippers in command of trawlers and drifters in H.M. Service during the war.
Later it was suggested that payments might be made through the treasurer of the National Sailors’ and Firemen Union. If this was agreed upon authority for this method of payment should be given by the skippers in regard to their respective claims.
A large number of claimants belong the East of Fife district, where, with few exceptions, the skippers of Cellardyke, Anstruther, Pittenweem, and St Monans held command in H.M. Service. Anxious to secure the money to which they were entitled, they obtained the necessary forms, and sanction was given to the union officials to take payment of claims.
Judge of the surprise of the skippers when a letter was received from the Union stating that as the claimants were non-union men the claims could not be dealt with.
This decision has given rise to considerable dissatisfaction amongst the war-time skippers, especially at Cellardyke, and they trying to solve the problem of how to collect their claims, for although many have been forwarded to different quarters no notice appears to have been taken of them.
NEW METHOD OF SELLING CATCHES AGREED ON BY CELLARDYKE FISHERMEN.
Cellardyke fishermen are at present putting their “house in order.” For some time past it has been felt that the method of disposing of the catches at Anstruther Harbour has been unsatisfactory, and it is alleged by the fishermen to have been the means of keeping down the price per cran.
An attempt is to be made to alter the existing conditions, and to make arrangements for the change a meeting of fishermen was held in Cellardyke Town Hall.
Councillor Philip Gardner, who, although retired from fishing activities, takes a practical interest in the welfare of the fishermen, was called to the chair, and explained that the object of the meeting was to consider whether at next winter’s fishing at Anstruther herring should be sold through salesmen by bell or whether they should keep to the old method of selling privately to buyers making the highest bid on the piers.
If the meeting decided in favour of the bell method they would have to draw up rules and stick to them, and not only that, but they would have to stick to one another. He suggested that, if approved by the meeting, a small committee should be appointed to discuss the matter with the salesmen.
They would also require to fix the rate of commission for salesmen, but that could be left until later.
Skipper Martin Gardner supported the new proposal. Under the old system, he said, many fishermen were kept hanging round the piers all morning waiting on a bid, when under the bell method they would be able to go home and get a few hours’ rest. He moved that the meeting adopt the bell method. (Applause.)
Skipper Lock Horsburgh said he had been told by two or three stranger buyers that the bell was introduced they would come to Anstruther; if not, they would go to other ports. He supported the motion. Under the old method was sometimes difficult to know what the bid was and who made the bid.
Making More Competition.
He also instanced a case where boat came to Anstruther Harbour and the skipper had to go through all the town to get buyer to take them. The bell method would make competition more keen, and the fishermen would not suffer through that. It was at least worth a trial.
The Chairman asked if anyone present was against the bell method.
Skipper Horsburgh —I don’t suppose any of the fishermen will be against it. The buyers might be against it. (Laughter.) Fear was expressed by several fishermen present that all the fishermen might not stick together, and that a number would sell privately.
After further discussion, the Chairman’s suggestion to appoint a committee to confer with the salesmen was approved, and the following were elected: —Messrs Martin Gardner, Lock Horsburgh, John Martin, Robert Anderson, T. Reid, John Muir, R. Gardner, and the Chairman. Thereafter the Committee met the salesmen in the Harbour Office, Anstruther, when it was agreed to adopt the bell system, and the commission of the salesmen was fixed.
The Committee was authorised to take steps, as far as legally could, to prevent any fishermen deviating from the rules laid down.
ANSTRUTHER PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY.
Mr J. Harrison Cooper, A.R.C.M., Kirkcaldy was reappointed conductor at the annual general meeting of Anstruther Philharmonic Society. Mr Cooper’s work last year was most successful and highly appreciated.
It was resolved to revise the Messiah for a rendering at Christmas, in addition to the main study, which this session is to be the oratorio, “Creation” (Haydn).
Provost Black, Cellardyke, who tendered his resignation as president and intimated would be unable take part this winter as an active member, was unanimously elected an honorary president of Society.
It was agreed to invite Miss Nellie Davidson to again give services as accompanist. The Society’s financial statement showed credit balance of about £6 on the year’s working.