FISH SUPPLY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3108, 12 June 1917, Page 6

FISH SUPPLY

STATE AID PROPOSALS

A WELLINGTON SCHEME

DEPOT AT ISLAND BAY

Some information as to the intentions of the Government with regard to aid for the fishing industry was asked for by a deputation representing the Public Uenlth Committee of the City Council which waited upon the Hon. 0. W. Kussell yesterday. Tho members of the deputation were: Messrs. It. A. Wright, M.l\, W. H. Bennett, and J. Castle.

Mr. Wright said that his committee wished to know whether the Minister could give any further information regarding the statement he had made some time ago to the effect that ho intended to render special assistance to the fishing industry. The Minister was reported to have said that in 1913 the Government had put through an Act for the assistance of tho fmiit-preserving industry, by which advances could be made to individual settlers or companies for the establishing of fruit-preserving work's, or for the erection of cold stores for fruit. 'The council wished to know the possibility of some Hko consideration being given to the fishing industry; and would like also to have some indication as to when any such scheme would be realised. The Minister had referred to Island Bay as teing a suitable place for tho establishment of such works in the neighbourhood of Wellington, and the council would l>o glad to hear what he had in mind in this connection.

Mr. .T. Castlo asked whether Professor Prince's final Teport had yet boon received. This report would no doubt contain information as to the location of the best fishing grounds off the New Zealand coast. Mr. Castle wished to know whether the Government would be prepared to arrange for the transport of the fish from these fishing areas to a. central depot at Island Bay. Was the Government going to assist in the establishing of a cold store by private enterprise, or would it be prepared to assist the City Council? The Minister, in reply, said that l-o regarded tho fishing industry as one of the most important in the country, and one that hnd not been exploited as it should have been. Its importance, in his opinion, lay in the fact that it would, provide a cheapened food supply for tho people. It seemed to him that State action, assisted by municipal action, was necessary to meet the high and increasing cost'of living. "What he was reported to have said in the Press interview that Mr. Wright, had read was quite correct, nnd he hmi already m'ven instructions for the drafting of a Bill nlnn? the lines of the Fruit-Preserving Industry Act, which now provided for advances up to JMOOO for the erection of cool stores and canneries for fruit.

As soon as Jio had taken over the portfolio of Marine he had cabled for the report of Professor Prince, asking thaf his full report should be here in time for presentation to Parliament-this session. Professor Prince's interim report contained a deal of valuable information. Among other things it showed how every part of tho fish caught could be turned into a marketable commodity.

He w.is informed by experts Hint (here were valuable fishing grounds off Porinm, and if this proved to be so there was a possibility of another fishing centre being established there. However, he thought the City Council should for the present concentrate on Island Bay- Expenditure was rtquired there to provide a suitable whaTf for the landing of fish, and for the erection of cool stores and oifal manure works. Inquiries he hnd made showed that it would cost at least .£■10(10 to provide the necessary machinery for the cool chambers, and when he had complete reports on the matter he would be very glad fa> confer with the council regarding the establishment of an up-to-date depot at this place. He hnd quite intended that the Bill he had in preparation should provide for financial assistance to local bodies to enable them to .establish works of this nature. Hβ would, however, have to consult Cabinet as to the measure of responsibility that the Government would be prepared to accept. His opinion was that the scheme should be made self-supporting from the very outset.

Mr. Bennett said that the council hod received complaints from some of the iesid*nts of Island Bay about; the nuisance alrently caused by the fishing that was carried on there,' but the City Solicitor (Mr. O'Shea). who was present, said that this trouble had been got ovnr and that the nuisance no longer existed. Mr. Russell said that if up-to-date works were established, there should be no complaints abopt any •nuisance.