FISHING INDUSTRY

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 147, 18 March 1937, Page 10

FISHING INDUSTRY

Committee of Inquiry Begins Work INVESTIGATION’S OBJECT By Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargill, March 17. The Sea Fisheries Investigation Committee set up by the Government to inquire into the sea fishing industry in Now Zealand began its inquiries at Bluff to-day. Mr. J. Thorn, M.P. for Thames, is chairman of the committee. and associated with him are Mr. M. W. Young, biologist to the Marine Department, and Mr. E. Sliced, of the Department of Industries and Commerce. The committee expects to sit at Bluff for three or four days, and will then proceed Northward through New Zealand, sitting at various fishing ports on the way. In an interview, the chairman said that representations had been made by fishing interests in many parts of the Dominion complaining that conditions in the industry were not satisfactory, and the Government had decided to appoint a committee to make the necessary investigation. The Government felt that some action was necessary to place such an important industry in a better position, but il was reluctant to move in the formulation of any scheme to assist industries under the Industrial Efficiency Act until facts which would justify action were available. It. was hoped by this inquiry to accumulate reliable information which would enable the Government to act confidently in respect to every department of the industry, said Air. Thorn. The committee had been given the widest powers in the carrying out of its investigation, and in order that it should have complete freedom to look into every phase of industry its “order of reference” had not been limited to specified details, but had been framed in the following terms:—"The committee shall inquire into and report upon (1) the condition and prospect of the sea fishing industry of New Zealand, including investigations'into any matter relating to exploitation ami conservation of our sea fisheries, and the catching, landing, treatment, preservation, storage, transport, internal and external marketing ami distribution (both wholesale and retail) of sea fish, shellfish and other marketable marine products; (2) scientific evaluation, control and administration of sea fisheries. “It goes without saying that the committee is anxious to assist the industry,” said Mr. Thorn, “and it will welcome the co-operation of all concerned in it, fishermen, merchants, retailers and others, who may be able to assist with proposals for the conservation of supplies. With the help of the industry it should not be difficult to arrive at conclusions that will enable it to give better service to New Zealand and to the citizens associated with it. This is the end the Government has in view.”