WHITEBAIT INDUSTRY

Evening Star, Issue 23352, 23 August 1939, Page 12

WHITEBAIT INDUSTRY

GOVERNMENT CONTROL AND LICENSING WILL THERE BE A PLAN 1 A deputation of fish merchants was received by the Minister of Industries and Commerce recently, when lie promised to accede to their request to bring into force “ a Government plan ” to control the fish industry. The Minister was wired by a representative of a local firm oh August 18, asking if whitebait was to be included in the face of objections, but so far he has not. replied. There is in New Zealand a large body of men whose livelihood in the season is whitebait catching, and there seems to be a danger that, because they are not organised they may wake up to find themselves forced into a plan —the regulations of which, said a merchant, mav greatly' astonish them. The only organised body of whitebait catchers in New Zealand are the Waikato Maoris, who turned down the suggestion for Government control unanimously on two occasions. No details have been announced, but the original suggestion was that all whitebait should bo marketed in such a way that the fish shops could obtain their'requirements at a fixed price, and that the remainder should be allotted to the canneries. This scheme would, it is claimed, be the means of shutting up canneries altogether. The present buildings are for the most part situated on the riverbanks where the little fish abound, because it is essential that whitebait should be absolutely fresh when treated. They are probably the most delicate of fish products handled in New Zealand, and success cannot bo attained in canning unless this method is taken. The plan proposed would have the effect of wiping out of existence a promising business, which, incidentally. is building up credits abroad. . . , . The original idea of control of whitebait appears to have arisen because the catcher-like the racing enthusiast—occasionally makes a lucky strike. Like the 'racing enthusiast, - there is little heard of the whitebait catcher s had davs. but a good deal of his good days. AVhatover happens, the actual producer will have had little say about any form of Government control that mav be instituted.