THE STATE AS OYSTERMAN.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 11122, 9 November 1907, Page 6

THE STATE AS OYSTERMAN.

(From our Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. The House spent some time 'in Committee on the Sea Fisheries Bill, in which provision is made for the protection of the Auckland oyster grounds. The Bill gives the Minister power to employ boats, men and gear for oyster picking in the North Island, and to sell the oysters wholesale, or retail. Some amuseinent was extracted 'by members from the discussion. ' . Mr Ell. moved to give the Minister power to employ persons to catch fish as well as pick oysters. His reason, he explained, was that it might cheapen the same to the consumer. The Minister said he was quite content with the powers already proposed in the Bill. . • ' * The amendment was rejected by 35 to 18. - Mr Massey said this was another step in the attempt to nationalise everything. The proper way to protect oysters was by declaring a close season, not by making, them a Government ; monopoly, He moved to eliminate the part of the clause empowering the Minister to purchase or hire boats and, gear for oyster picking. ■Ariiember: How are you to go to sea without a boat?Mr Massey suggested the Amokura (the training ship). The amendment was defeated by 42 to 15. • Mr Herries suggested that while there was no -objection to the State selling oysters wholesale, there was to selling them retail. . It would be undignified fjor the Dominion to run an oyster saloon. He moved that the sale of the State oyster be wholesale only, but this was rejected by 40 to 15. Mr Herries next moved to take away the power granted in the Bill for the Minister to acquire premises in which to carry on the whole: sale or retail trade. There was, he said, no need for it. An hon. member: A hand cart will dp. The amendment was lost by 37 to 17, and the clause passed unaltered. The Rill was subsequeritly reported with a slight ' machinery amendment. .