Bay of Plenty Times SATURDAY, Oct. 25, 1919. TRAWLING IN THE BAY.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 7254, 25 October 1919, Page 2

Bay of Plenty Times SATURDAY, Oct. 25, 1919. TRAWLING IN THE BAY.

THE decision of the Minister of Marine to revoke the Order-in-Council which lifted the restrictions hitherto imposed on trawling within certain limits in the Bay of Plenty has called forth— as might be expected -a spirited protest from Messrs Sanford, Ltd. We are not told, but it is a reasonable conjecture, that the same firm was largely instrumental in having the restrictions removed. The matter of lifting these restrictions was one vitally affecting the interests of Tauranga fishermen, but they were in no way consulted before the Order-in-Council was made. In agreeing now to revoke it the Hon. Mr Herries (who took over the duties of Minister of Marine after the Order was put through) has acted fairly towards the local fishermen and the industry generally, the protests of Messrs Sanford, Ltd. notwithstanding. He tells us that the restrictions were removed on the urgent recommendation of Mr Ay son, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, that food was required for Auckland, but there is nothing on record that the City | was so near starvation that the i matter could not have been delayed until local representations j had been heard. Expert opinion apparently differs on the question of the effect of trawling on the fishing grounds, but relying on the experience of those engaged in the industry and the fact that the trawlers are found to very quickly forsake once profitable fishing grounds for new the moment any restrictions are removed, points rather to the fact that the Government should not have made the Order-in-Council without thorough investigation and inquiry. This we are now to have, and for that the fishermen owe a tribute of thanks to Mr Herries. They must, however, be prepared to face the inquiry to be made by Mr Ay son with full information, facts and figures in support of their contention that trawling in the Bay would detrimentally affect their business. This they will no doubt see to. But the fishermen are not the only section of the community interested. All the people in the district are interested. There are two to three dozen boats permanently engaged in the industry in the Bay, but fresh fish in Tauranga is a rarity, and the smoked fish mostly available for local consumption is what Auckland will not take. This should not be, and the most important step in remedying such an undesirable state of affairs is | the provision of a refrigerating | plant. As a Borough investment it should prove most profitable. In many directions it is very much needed, and the proposal will well bear the closest investigation and "consideration of the Mayor and Councillors. A continual supply of fresh fish is as important to the people of Tauranga as it is to the citizens of Auckland, and if we are to succeed in having the restrictions on trawling reimposed, it places on the Borough a distinct obligation to make the most of the assest thus conserved to them. This can only be done by erecting a refrigerating plant at the earliest possible moment.