BETTER FISH KAIKOURA'S SUPPLY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 12, 15 January 1915, Page 8

BETTER FISH KAIKOURA'S SUPPLY

WANTED— COOL STORAGE AND ICE. The problem of better and cheaper fish for the people of New Zealand still remains unsolved, at any rate in a practical way. The loss of a whole consignment of fish from Kaikoura, owing to deterioration on the voyage to Wellington, was described in yesterday's Post, and brings the question again before the public. Mr. L. F. Ayson, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, who hae just returned from Kaikoura, was very much impressed during his visit there with tho great possibilities of the place as a fishing centre for the supply of both Wellington and Christchurch. Kaikoura lies about halfway between Lyttelton and Wellington, admirably situated for the supply of Christchurch and Wellington with, fresh fish. There are few better fishing grounds in New Zealand than Kaikoura, in the opinion of Mr. Ayson expressed in an interview to-day. Kaikoura could be made a great fishing centre, if only the fishermen there had the means for keeping the fish fresh and delivering it fresh, to the Southern and Northern markets. To Lyttelton and Wellington there is communication, on an average, once a week. Under these circumstances, without proper means for keeping fish fresh, the fishermen can only fish part of the time, and it is a toss-up then whether their catch will prove a gain or a loss to them. If, as happened with the last lot sent to Wellington, it has to be destroyed on arrival, it means a sheer loss for the men, because they have to pay freightage. A similar fate befell a previous consignment to Lyttelton. It arrived in bad condition, and had to be destroyed. What is required at Kaikoura is a chilling and freezing plant, with a sufficient output of ice to carry the fish over fresh to Wellington and Lyttelton. If such a cool storage plant were established, there is no doubt that Kaikoura could supply both cities with the finest round fish — ha.puku, blue cod, red cod, terakihi, trumpeter, and so forth — in a perfectly fresh condition. If the fisherman at Kaikoura had such a plant they could fish regularly at all times when the weather was suitable, instead of confining their catch to the day before the steamo.r was due to sail. Regular supplies could be maintained, and, with fish always freeh and good obtainable in the shops and market, tho demand would be materially increased. Canada consumes three times as much fish per head of population as does New Zealand, and the natural avenues of distribution are far less advantageous there in the long three thousand miles across the • continent than they are with New Zealand. Mr. Ayeon has in several of his annual reports recommended improvements such as the cool storage plant desired for Kaikoura, but our fisheries still remain by far the most neglected of all the New Zealand industries. In his report *ov 1913 the Chief Inspector of Fisheries said that, "if for no other reason than the interests of the people's food supply, it is imperative that a great deal more attention should be given to the dc--velopment of th© fisheries. Up to th* present New Zealand's fishing industry has not been given anything like the attention its importance demands. As one of the most important food supplies for its people, as a source of employment, and as an industry capable of developing an important export trade, it deserves being given a more important place, than ?om© department on which large sums have been, and are being, spent." And one of the chief recommendations that the report contained was : "That in any isolated locality where an extensive and prolific fishery exists the Government should erect, or assist in the erection and maintenance of, a fish-freezing and oil and fish fertiliser manufacturing plant." The report of Professor Prince amplifies Air. Ayson's recommendations, and the late Minister of Marine had already, promised the favourable consideration of the Government, which, it is hoped, will still be given and the recommendations carried into effect.