["The Fisheries Department", The Western Mail (Perth, WA), Saturday 18 July 1903, page 11]
...
North-West Pearling Industry.
During the year 1902, 789 tons 12cwt. of shell, with a declared value of £137,600 have been exported from this State. It is satisfactory to note that these figures show an increase of 73 tons 12cwt. over these of 1901, with a value of £32,610. Taking the value of pearls obtained
throughout the year at an estimate of £40,000, the industry represents a total of £177,600. From the returns supplied by the licensing officers at Broome, Roebourne, and Onslow, 223 boats were licensed under the Pearlshell Fishery Act, 1886, showing an increase of 23 boats over the previous year. The total number of male adults employed may be approximately put at 1,680, 1,515 being Asiatic and African aliens. 110 European, and 55 aborigines.
The Revenue Derived.
I regret to again draw attention to the very small annual revenue derived directly from the pearling industry, and trust that the necessary legislation, for which a Bill has been drafted since 1901, dealing with this and other important questions will be considered during the next session of Parliament. To again point out that the revenue at present derived is anything but commensurate with the importance of the industry, I
have only to repeat that the export value for the year was £177,600, and a direct revenue received of only £223, which represents a licensing fee of £1 for every boat engaged in pearling operations.
