NEW ZEALAND FISHERIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16978, 14 April 1917, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND FISHERIES

PROSPECT OF DEVELOPMENT.

(Fkom Our Own ConßiisroNnENT.)

. AUCKLAND, April 13. Iho question of tho further development of tho dominion's fisheries is receiving attention from Mr G. W. Russeli (Minister of Marine). In a statement this evening, Mr Russell said that in reply to a cablegram sent L>y him when he assumed control of tho department, Professor Prince, of Canada, had cabled stating that he would make every effort to forward his full report on Now Zealand fisheries in time for it to bo presented to Parliament this year. The report from Professor Prince, laid before Parliament in 1915, was only an interim report, but tho Minister remarked that it contained many valuable suggestions. Ono notable suggestion was in regard to tho question of turning to account certain varieties of fish which at present wero not in favour with the ordinary consumer, but which in Canada, under Professor Prince's management, wero treated in_ such a way as to form an excellent article of diet and a commodity for export. "There aro markets," continued the Minister, "in India, China, and other countries, to which this low-HTadc fish could bo regularly sent. Sly opinion is that this is a field that should bo exploited. Ono difficulty so far as the fishermen aro concerned is that of finance. Til ere is also tho question of cool stores to hold fish until it can be marketed to advantage. An excellent lead in this matter has been given by tho assistance afforded to fruit-growers' in erecting cool stores. As fish is regarded by medical men as being as necessary, even if not moro necessary, as an articlo of fond than fruit, there is no reason why the. fish industry should not receive the same financial assistance as that already given to fruit-growers. I proposo to bring tho matter beforo tho Cabinet, and the experts of tho department are at _ present _ considering tho question. iho primary object in view is that of securing- cheap fish for homo consumption, but the possibilities of opening up an exr port trade to Australia, where thero is an almost unlimited market, will be kept in view."

Mr Russell said that the question of the transit of fish also, wouhl bo considered. T-Tc was hopeful that it would bo found possible to devise a satisfactory form of cool carriage in crates on tho, railway without it bcinnr necessary to tafeo up the whole of a truck.