FISH RESEARCH

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 303, 18 September 1936, Page 10

FISH RESEARCH

Increase in Licence Fees Authorised BILL PASSES ALL STAGES The Fisheries Amendment Bill, which was introduced in» the House of Representatives on Wednesday night, was put through all its stages in the House yesterday. The Bill provides for an increase in the fishing licence fees chargeable by acclimatisation societies and for the payment of part of that increase to the Government to be devoted toward the cost of research into fresh water fisheries.

In moving the second reading of the Bill, the Minister of Marine, Hon. P. Fraser, stated that the fees to be charged by acclimatisation societies would be fixed by Order-inOouncil. It was proposed to increase licence fees by 5/-, and of this amount 2/6 would go to the society concerned and 2/6 to the Government for research purposes. The estimated annual yield. as far as the Government was concerned was £l2OO. The research activities would be directed from Wellington, “The benefits of proper research as far as /trout fishing is concerned will more than compensate for the increase in the licence fee,” the Minister added. "Acclimatisation societies are practically unanimous in favouring the proposal.” Mr. W. P. Endean (Opposition, Parnell) advocated the extension of research activities to salt water fisheries, and said that in this respect the Government would be well advised to obtain the services of an overseas expert. Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Opposition, Central Otago) said a great deal could be done to improve the fishing in the Dominion. Reasons for the deterioration of the fish had not yet been ascertained, and there should be' a thorough investigation. Replying to the second reading debate, the Minister said a considerable amount of research was being carried out at the present time. The acclimatisation societies, however, had not the funds to do the job, and had asked the Marine Department to undertake it.

“The biggest enemy of the fish is probably dynamite,” remarked the Hon. A. Hamilton (Opposition, Wallace), when the House was in committee on the Bill.

Mr. Fraser: How can you deal with that?

The Minister of Lands, Hon. F. Langstone: That sort of thing is not done in New Zealand.

Mr. Hamilton said he agreed that £1 was a cheap licence fee and that £l/5/was not out of the way. However, once a tax was imposed there generally seemed a reluctance to remove it. Research should take place on some known problem, and when that was completed consideration should be given to reverting to the present licence fee. Mr. Fraser said that one of the reasons for the urgency of research was the pollution of rivers from sawmills and the problem of food for the fish. The Bill was put through tlie remaining stages aud passed.