FISHING WATERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25853, 25 May 1945, Page 6

FISHING WATERS

CONTROL OF LAKES AREA

PROTEST BY SPORTSMEN Strong objection to the Department of Internal Affairs taking over any* portion of the society’s district was expressed at the annual meeting of the Otago Acclimatisation Society last night. The president (Mr A. Digby Smith) assured the members that the council would take every means in its power to safeguard the interests of the licence-holders.

The subject was raised by Mr Smith, who in referring to the action of the Department of Internal Affairs in taking over control of the Lakes District Acclimatisation Society, said much had been said about the department’s proposal to take over part of the Otago society’s district—Lake Hawea and the best of the society’s game country, the stocking of which had accounted for a good deal of licence-holders’ money. It was to be hoped that this would not be the case. When the speaker interviewed the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry), he said that the society could retain control of Lake Hawea if it was prepared to sland the expense. “It is not a matter of expense that has curtailed our activities in that district,” Mr Smith declared, “ but the restriction placed by the Government on our own man-power and transport facilities since 1939.” They realised that they must do their best to bring the war to a victorious conclusion and willingly had gone short of many things required for the proper development of their game and fishing, but they objected to being charged with neglect by a department which was restricting them in their work. Alternative Proposal “We could not carry on as a firstclass society if the department took over the portion of our district proposed.” said Mr Smith. “It would include all our chukor country, a good part of the quail couptry, a lot of the duck country, and part of the fishing.” Mr Parry said he was going to improve conditions at Hawea, the speaker added, but the Minister was under a misapprehension when he said there was no fishing there. The society had offered as an alternative proposal to recommend to the members that the department should take over Lake Hawea and its catchment area, but the department was not prepared to take anything less than it had at first demanded, and the society had then withdrawn its alternative offer. “Our policy is to oppose the action of the department,” said Mr Smith. “ I still maintain there is good fishing at Hawea, and that the tourist can get his sport by coming here and taking out a licence in the society’s area.” Mr W. S. Dawson said he knew from his' own experience that fish were to be found at HaWea. He believed that the reason why some people thought there was no fish there was that the river had been so “flogged” by baitcasting that the fish became very wary and chary of taking the bait. New Zealanders had gone overseas in the last war and in this war to fight for the cause of freedom, he added, and he did not think the country should be dictated to by “rising Hitlers.” Strong Objection Mr H. G. Williams moved: “ That this meeting of anglers and game shooters strongly objects to the Department of Internal Affairs taking control of any portion of the Otago Acclimatisation Society’s district.” Mr L Hodding seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. “ This is not a matter of politics—it is a matter of policy,” said Mr C. M. Greenslade. “We are not protesting against an action of the Government, but against that of *he Department of Interna] Affairs.” Mr J. W. Smeaton suggested that a denutation should waif on Otago members of Parliament in the matter. It would have been quite easy for the Lakes Society’s district to have been divided between the Otago and Southland Societies, and' he did not believe that the action of the department in taking over the Lakes district would have any effect on tourist traffic. Mr J. M. Paterson said he believed that with the powers the Government had nowadays, it could, if it chose, take action in the matter by means of an Order-in-Council, but he would look into the matter further.

Mr Hodding suggested a special general meeting of the society’s 4000 licence-holders to discuss the matter, and the chairman said the council would do all it could to get the licenceholders interested.