FISHERY RESEARCH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19123, 18 September 1936, Page 10

FISHERY RESEARCH

BILL BEFORE THE HOUSE INCREASE IN FEES (Por Press Association.) WELLINGTON, last night. Iu the House of Representatives, the Hon. I*. Fraser moved the second readimp of the Fisheries Amendment Bill. The Minister said the bill was aimed to assist tho fishermen ol the Dominion by providing that research work should be undertaken. The fee for fishing licenses, except in Rotorua* would be fixed by Oi’der-in-Council, and it was suggested that the fee should he increased from £1 to 255, and of the increase, half-a-crown would go to acclimatisation societies and half-a-crown towards fresh-water research. Ho claimed that the results of research would more than repay fishermen for the increase in the fee. Acclimatisation societies were practically unanimous that the bill was a step in the right direction. The amount available, ho added, would # bo about £1250. The Rt. Hon. JAG. Coates (Nat.. Kaipara) asked what was meant by the mystic word “research.” He did not like an amendment of the sort proposed. lie thought tho Minister should have fixed a clef ini i e fee to lie charged, and not have left It to Ordcr-iu-Council. Mr. IV. P. Efidean (Nat., Parnell) said he thought the Government should follow Australia’s example, and get an overseas expert to investigate the position.

Mr. W. A. Bodkin (Nat., Central Otago) said ho thought the Minister should 1 do more than merely co-operate with acclimatisation societies. A complete' review of fishing in the Dominion should he made, and the Minister should make a full statement. He contended that not enough attention was paid to southern rivers.

The lion. A. Hamilton (Nat., Wallace) said that tjie increase was not out of the way, hut lie hoped £1250 would ho spent regularly every year, Tho hill was put through all stages and passed.