TROUT-FARM SCHEMES

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32076, 26 August 1969, Page 18

TROUT-FARM SCHEMES

U.S. Pressure | Alleged It was an open secret that wealthy American interests were pressing the Government for introduction of trout farming near Wairoa, and that Lake Kaitawa was one of the favoured spots for the first farm, Mr 1. 3. Brooks, the Labour Party's candidate for Marlborough, said yesterday. The Minister of Marine (Mr Scott) had said there would be no farming of public waters and that the RotoruaTaupo districts would be excluded, but Lake Kaitawa was in the Rotorua acclimatisation district, Mr Brooks said. There was reason to believe that there was no ready market overseas for trout, so there must be a home market if there was farming, he said. The financial profit to the country was paltry compared with the value recreationally and by consumer spending to thousands of New Zealanders. Trout fishing was also an invaluable part of the tourist industry. Trout fishermen should be given a right to state their case, Mr Brooks said. The Government was not only exploiting their sport, but the sport of anglers of the future.