SHORTAGE OF FISH SUPPLIES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 13 November 1937, Page 8

SHORTAGE OF FISH SUPPLIES

d UNSATISFACTORY POSITION [From Our Own Parliamentary Reporter! ” I WELLINGTON. This Day. It liad been suggested for some time ! that there was likely to be a shortage of fish supplies in New Zealand waters, said the Leader of Hie Opposition (the Hon. A. Hamilton) in commenting upon the Marine Department vote in the House of Representatives yesterday 1 afternoon. If it was true, it was a serious matter, and he would like to know j upon what evidence it was based. The Minister of Marine (the Hon. P 'l Fraser) said that the fishing industry K was in a very unsatisfactory and preie carious position. Fishermen were nol * making a living, and these men were 51 risking their lives in a difficult ane hazardous occupation At the same time prices for fish were going up There was also difficulty with the Australian market, difficulty that still ex--istcd. The troubles with fishing were not easy, but before the Government could really hope to do anything, 1 , had to get at the facts. One of the firs things necessary was to strengthen tin personnel of the Fisheries Department That had been done. AJso the whole question had been investigated by the Fisheries Committee, which had done excellent work. Its report would be available shortly, and the Ministei hoped they could do something to pu i_ the fishing industry on a permanently j. satisfactory basis. ,n Mr W. A Bodkin (National, Centra Otago) suggested that there should b< a survey of the toheroa beds. He hae been informed that supplies of this important shellfish were being depleted. ) Mr A. Campbell (Government, Chal mers) recommenced to the Govern it rnent's attention an oyster bed of ts Otago Heads, which he said, couk n supply a better class of oyster thai d Bluff. Mr W. P. Endcan (National, Parnell! , c mentioned the difficulty with Australia in the fishing business, and said that i was not fair that Australian vessel; should come to New Zealand water; and practically poach fish when sup plies were not' plentiful. He askec whether something could be done tc extend the three-mil j limit. ’ The Minister said that was being explored but there were legal question; involved, and omerover, the Dominior worked in with Britain.