FISHING LICENSES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 49, 26 August 1926, Page 16

FISHING LICENSES

INCREASED FEES TO WEALTHY ' TOUBISTS.

An increase in the charge for annual fishing licenses was advocated in the Legislative Council last night by the Hon. A. S. Malcolm, who declared that the present license was small in comparison with that in the Old Country. He thought the price of the license should be increased to £10, which would enable the State to dorive greater revenue from the sport. The Hon. L. M.' Isitt said it was absurd that foreigners should come to New Zealand equipped with fishing outfits for which they had paid hundreds of pounds, and be charged such a low fee for their sport, which in many instances was their business. Their position waa altogether different from that of ordinary anglers who snatched a day's fishing now''and again. He did not think tourist fishermen who came to New Zealand attracted by its fino fishing would resent being required to contribute more largely to the maintenance of the sport. The Leader of the Council (oir Heaton Bhodes) said the suggestion was not a new one. Many representations had been made to the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Minister in Charge of the Tourist Department, and he assured the Council that the matter was already under consideration. Many visitors had stated that they thought the present license fee was too small, and would be quite willing to pay more. He pointed out that the big fees in the Old Country were paid for the exclusive right to fish in certain riv«rs, and that where the fishing was open the fees were not heavy.