ACCLIMATISATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9865, 6 October 1903, Page 2

ACCLIMATISATION.

THE PRICE OF FISHING LICENSES. (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The amendments made by the Committee of the House m the Fisheries Conservation Act Amendment Bill were to have been considered last night, but the Colonial Secretary moved that consideration be deferred, as a deputation' was anxious to wait upon him m connection with the alterations made. The leader of the Opposition said he hoped the Bill would be recommitted, for the effect of the 10_ district license fee would be to seriously oripple the finances of the acclimatisationi societies. The provision re license fees could be made "not more than £1 Bs, not less than 10s." It should also be specified that tlie Bill would not com_ into operation till after the close of tlie present fishing season. , The Premier said anotlier reason for postponing the matter was that the Government had under coiisideration the taking over of the whole of this work by the Government. The societies had been receiving large sums of money, amounting to thousands, and he believed the Government could do the work, pay expenses and make a handsome profit. ' Mr Massey : Then it's a waste of time to consider this Bill; The Premier did not think so. Mr Buchanan strongly urged the House not to let the Government take over the societies. Local sympathy had given the, societies financial and other strength, but if the Government took over the work that sympathy would go to a large extent. The Colonial Seoretary said the tendency of some people was to keep the fishing license fees too high, and many people m the colony were opposed to it. He was surprised at the discussion, for he had only wished to give the deputation an opportunity. Tlie Bill was then postponed.