FISHING INDUSTRY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15855, 29 August 1913, Page 5

FISHING INDUSTRY.

CHIEF INSPECTOR'S REPORT. DEVELOPMENT URGED. (Feou Ona Own CoßitEsroNDEHr.) WELLINGTON, August 28. Mr L. F. Ayson, Chief Inspector of Fisheries, in the annual report presented to Parliament to-day makes some important recommendations for the development of the fishing industry of the dominion. As, however, Professor Prince is ooming from Canada to investigate the whole subject, the matter is largely in abeyance in tho meantime. Mr Ayson states that he has ob'tained information from various countries regarding the organisation and development of fisheries, 'and states that he considers that, given a free hand and the .necessary amount of money, he could put the fisheries of the dominion on a sounder basis than obtains in any other State in Australasia. The chief recommendations made are that the fisheries which are at present controlled by the Marine Department should he Temoved therefrom and placed under a separate department. This department couJd in the meantime be staffed oy a secretary or director (who would also be tho chief inspector), a clerk and typist, and three permanent assistant inspectors for both the North Island and the South Island. The services of tho police could bo largely utilised as at present. A steamer, on the lines of tho biggest trawlers used in England and Scotland should be obtained for the use of the department. This would be 160 feet in length. It would not be possible .to obtain a suitable vessel out here, but one could be built for £12,000, or one could be purchased at a less figure at Home. In the course of further detailed recommendations it was urged that to encourage the industry the Government should erect or assist in .the erection of fish freezing and curing plants and fish fertiliser works, and that a bonus should be given for the production of some fishery products. It was recommended also that the coastal waters of tho dominion up to 100 fathoms should be scientifically prospected section by section, and that professors and students at the universities should be encouraged to carry out research work in these sections.