NEW ZEALAND FISHERIES

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 90, 16 April 1917, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FISHERIES

QUESTION pF FURTHER DEVELOPMENT STATEMENT BY HON. G. ,WiRUSSELL. (ir TEL!GIUt>B-"SrECUI< 10 IU FOST.) AUCKLAND, 14th April. The question of further development of the Dominion's fisheries is receiving attention from the Hon. G*. W: Russell, j Minister of Marine. In a statement last evening, Mt. Russell said that, in reply' to a Cablegram sent by him when he assumed control of the Marine' Department, Professor Prince, of Canada, had cabled stating that he would make every effort to forward his full report on the | New Zealand fisheries in time for it to be presented to Parliament this year, j The report from Professor Prince, already laid before Parliament (in 1915) was only an interim report, but the Minister remarkedthatit contained many valuable! suggestions. One notable suggestion was in;regard to the question'of .turning to account certain varieties of fish wfyich at present are not in favour with the- ordinary consumer,' but which in, Canada, under Professor Prince's management, are treated in such a way as to form an excellent article of diet and a commodity for export, ".There are markets," continued. the- Minister, "in India, China, and other countries to which this lowgrade fish could be regularly ,sent. My opinion is that this is a field that should be exploited in the future in New Zea-' land. One difficulty, so far as fishermen are concerned, is that of finance. There is also the question of cool stores to hold fish until it can be marketed to advantage. An excellent lead in this matter has been given by the assistance afforded to fruitgrowers in erecting cool, stores, as fish is regarded by medical men as being as necessary, even if not more necessary, an article of food than frnit, There is no reason why the fish industry should not receive the same financial assistance as that already given to fruitgrowers. I propose to bring the matter before Cabinet and the experts of the-Department are at present considering the question. The primary object in view is that of securing cheap fish for home consumption, but the possibilities of opening up an export trade to Australia; where there is an almost unlimited market, will be kept in view." Mr. Kusseli said that the question of the transit of fish also would be'considered. He was hopeful that it would be found possible to devise :a. satisfactory form of cool carriage in crates on' the railway wiwiout it being necessary to take up the whole of a truck.