ENG-1947 — Page 63

The result, of course, upon the industry was the restriction of development as the fisherman was never in a position to better his condition or to experiment with new gear and methods.

The condition of the industry was in no way improved by its experiences during the Japanese war. Even before the occupation of Hong Kong the piratical tendencies of the Japanese in local waters effectively dissuaded some fishermen from following their trade. During the occupation, the industry came virtually to a standstill. Many of the larger vessels left Hong Kong for the duration of the war and others took to trading. When the Japanese surrender took place the state of the industry was deplorable. Few junks were seaworthy, nearly all the gear needed a complete overhaul and the fisher- man and his family were dressed in rags and half-starved. A survey carried out in September, 1945, showed that there were only 26,000 fisherfolk in the Colony as compared with 77,451 in 1938, and that many of these were without boats or means of livelihood. The time for active reform was opportune, and fortunately a scheme for the fishing industry had been worked out in Stanley Internment Camp. The first step was the granting of a rehabilitation loan of $100.000 to the fishermen. This loan was distributed at the rate of $4 a head, irrespective of age and sex. At the same time, every effort was made to supply the fishermen with salt, rice, kerosene and other essential com- modities at low prices. These initial gestures had the effect of encouraging fisherfolk who had left the Colony during the occupation to return with their junks at an early date. The plan which had been hatched in Stanley Camp was based on the establishment of a Fisheries Department to be financed by the Government, and a Fisheries Co-operative designed finally to be self-supporting, but to be, for the time being, under the guidance and direction of the Fisheries Department. The primary object of the new organisation was to ensure that the fisherman received a fair price for his fish and that the profits went to him, the producer, rather than to the middleman.

To this end, a Wholesale Fish Market was established at Kennedy Town on the Island, in which all marine fish, whether fresh or salted, must be sold. In the four main fishing villages, organisations called "fisheries syndicates" were established. The primary function of these syndicates is the collection of fish from fishermen and its transportation to market, but they also discharge other functions such as the sale of rice, flour, salt, ice, sugar, ramie and tung oil at low prices to the fisherfolk. They also act as centres for social welfare and education where advice can be given to the fisherman on the numerous problems with which he is confronted. As the scheme developed, a further market was established at Taipo and the number of syndicates increased so as to serve the fishermen in the northern part of the New Territories.

In the Wholesale Markets established under the scheme, sale is by public auction and not, as hitherto, by private or secret bid. Any person who has the backing of a reputable firm may be registered as a buyer on the market. Registered

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