FISHING TOURISTS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12526, 16 August 1926, Page 12

FISHING TOURISTS

METHODS OBJECTED TO “POT-HUNTING VISITORS" PROTECTION FOR ROTORUA “After securing their catch they have it photographed and then leave the fish on the bank to pollute the shores of our lakes,” said Mr A. M. Samuel (Ohinemuri) in the House last evening when complaining of the methods adopted by some overseas tourists who visited Now Zealand lo fish. The protest was made on the second, reading of the Fisheries Amendment Bill, which was moved by the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Right Hon. K. F. Bollard). Air J. McCombs (Lyttelton) protest:ed at Rotorua securing tho special licenses proposed in the Bill. Air Samuel said the Bill was making fishing for a class—lor those who could afford’ to pay for it, and who would keep the other sportsmen out of it. Mr McCombs: There are too many fish at Rotorua, anyhow. Mr Samuel: Yes; and the Lyttelton Harbour has become so shallow that the fish have all , cleared out from it. (Laughter.) Air Samuel continued that the overseas tourists —whom he termed pot hunters—were not anglers in the proper sense of the word. It would not be so bad if they hunted for the pot, but what they hunted never saw the pot. Air P. "Fraser (Wellington Central): They are all to pot. Air Samuel: Well; I hope they will lie if we are going to tax the New Zealanders for their benefit. The Prime Afinister (Air Coates): vYhat are you objecting to? FAMILY FISHERMEN Mr Samuel: I am objecting to the charging of an extra license upon the people so far as Rotorua is concerned. Why cannot tho same terms be made with the New Zealander as was made with the natives? We have had the reasonable license fee of £l, and the mere reasonableness enabled any men, women, boj’s and girls to indulge in one of the most healthy sports that can be imagined. Ho asked that there should be a small fee of 2s 6d or 5s for those in the fishing districts. In addition to the fisherman who came from abroad, and camped on the banks of the lake or anywhere that suited him. there was the family fisherman, who came from all provinces of New Zealand, and who was entitled to greater consideration than the visitor. The latter class was if great benefit to the country for he sent a great quantity to hospitals and other institutions. The fishing tourist, on the other hand, caught liis fish, had them photographed, and then left them to pollute the shores of the lake. The Hon. W. Nosworthy said he could not 6ce any justification in the complaint. The Auckland and Wellington acclimatisation societies could issue licenses, and most of the fishing was done in Rotorua. The Rotorua society should receive its fair share of the revenue. The Bill was to ensure that Rotorua could protect itself. Air G. W. Forbes (Hurunui) considered that the amount of the fee should be named in the Bill. LICENSE FEE Hon. Air Nosworthy: It will he £l, Hie same as the other licenses. Mr M. «T. Sa\ago (Auckland West) said the principle was similar to that which required a man to secure a shooting license in the different districts a* he passed through the country. Why should there be any distinction between shooting and fishing? Perhaps it would mean that the license fee would be so high as to make flailing practically impossible for the comparativelv poor person. If the ATinister would assure him otherwise he saw nothing in the principle that was contrary to that which already prevailed in respect to shooting. The Hon. A. T. Ngata said he under /tood that this Bill was not to refer to Tnnno waters. The Hon. R. F. Bollard: That will come later. Hon. Mr Ngata asked how the Oliau Channel would be affected, for this did not belong to either Rotorua or Rotoiti, but was a native right. He agreed that the Rotorua society required assistance, for there was no reason whv the Auckland and Wellington should grab all the fees Hon. Mr Nosworthy: That is the point. POACHING GOING ON TTon. Afr Ngata said tlm holiday fisherman would not worry about fishing’ anvwhore but in Rotorua, and would therefore not he called neon to purchase licenses for other districts. Air IT. K. Holland saul whatever were the'merits of the case, the apnrtsm».n who left, his on the bank to tot fcbouM ho «uarded against. This should be made an offence under the (off. The Hon. R. F. Bollard, in reply, said Flint when the Rotorua society looked after the fish and did the ranging it was entitled to tho revenue. The ♦ourists who visited this country had not made any donations to anv of the acclimatisation societies. There were not many fish left on the hank, for the Afaoria were always anxious to get them. There was a good deal of poaching going on in Rotorua, and it was not the tourists who did this. Mr Forbes: Arc the fish deteriorating ? Hon. Air Bollard: They are a bit, but we have just put in another hatchery, and intend to put new blood into the industry. On a division the Bill was read a second time by 45 votes to 10.