FISHERIES EXPERT

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 97, 21 October 1924, Page 5

FISHERIES EXPERT

THE GOyERNMENT'S-POLICY.

■ The proposal to bring out a-fishery expert from Home has '■ been raised in the House of Representatives in the last week or two. "v' I ■ - Mr. .F...J. .Rolleston (Timaru) asked the Minister of Marine .whether, seeing that the Government is now advertising in the Home "papers for a fishery expert »at a salary of £750 per annum, the Minister will, outline tho future intention of the Government in regard to the fisheries o£ the Dominion? :■ ■ • ■• The Hon. G. J. Anderson replied last night that the object of the advertisement referred to wasto endeavour to secure the services of a fisheries expert who, in addition to being well qualified in the science of pisciculture, was also experienced in the practical work of fishing, the commercial handling of fish, arid 'the establishment of a fish by-pro duct industry. It was hoped that the application of this combined experience to a comprehensive ■ survey of the fishing ■ industry in New Zealand waters would enable the construction of a; more- clearly defined policy for the betterment of a most important natural asset not only for'those concerned in the industry, but for the people to whom adequate supplies of fish food at, a reasonable price was so essential. ; Answering a question by Mr. V. A. Potter (Roskill) dn the same subject, "Mr/ Anderson stated that as Mr. H. F. Ayson, head of the Fisheries branch of the Marine Department,' had passedtlie usual retiring age of, 65, it was'obvious that he could not continue indefinitely in the position. Tho Government, through the High Commissioner, had invited applications for a fisheries expert to come to New Zealand for a period of eighteen months or two years, primarily to investigate our -fisheries' and report. It was hoped to obtain a man of scientific qualification and who had had experience; in practical fishing, in marketing, canning, and.in manufacture of fish byproducts. It was not intended to retire Mr, Ayson in the immediate future. His past services were fully appreciated by the Government. Mr. F. F. Hockly (Rotorua) said ho thought.it would not be' right for Mr. Aysonrwith a-salary of £565,. to;havo to instruct' in his new duties a man who was to receive £750 per annum. It was an anomalous position. , The Leader of the. Opposition (Mr. T. M. Wilford) : "Absolutely over the odds.", .