FISHING LICENCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23866, 21 July 1939, Page 6

FISHING LICENCES

OPERATION OF TRAWLERS REGULATIONS CONTESTED (Per United Press Association) BLENHEIM, July 20. A case affecting the fishing industry of New Zealand and concerning the application of the Industrial Efficiency Act to that industry was heard by Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, when R. Alfano, a fisherman, of Island Bay. was charged with trawling in Cloudy Bay, contrary to the provisions of a notice published in the Gazette under Section 14 of the Act. It was alleged that Alfano had not obtained a licence for the purpose of taking fish for sale by means of trawling. The case was defended on the grounds that the gazetted notice did not apply to the industry till January 1, 1940, at least so far as persons already engaged in the industry were concerned. In this regard it was claimed that the defendant was the principal in a fishing business, and although one of his boats, the Valerie, was registered in his wife’s name his other boat, the Marconi, was operating after July 22, 1938, the date for the licensing of newcomers in the industry mentioned in the notice. It was claimed that he did not require a licence for it until after January, 1940. The validity of the notice and the exercise of the powers delegated to the Minister were questioned by the defence. Decision was reserved by the magistrate.