UNKNOWN

Southland Times, Issue 17396, 15 July 1913, Page 5

UNKNOWN

DEPUTATION TO THE MINISTER. TARIFF AMENDMENTS ASKED FOR. (Special to the Times.) WELLINGTON. July 14. Matters relating to the muttonbird industry were brought before the Minister of Marine (the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher) this morning by a deputation (Messrs Thomas S. Spencer and James Wixon) who were introduced by Mr T. Parata, M.l’., for the Southern Maori District. Mr Spencer submitted that what the natives wanted was the duty raised on Tasmania birds to bring the price up to flvepence per bird wholesale in New Zealand; that protection lie given the Maoris for kelp In connection with mutton binding: that dealers be compelled to sell mutlonbirds as New Zealand and Tasmanian respectively; that natives be required to stamp the bags with the Now Zealand Producers' registered brand; that the Government In the Interests of public health compel all natives to inflate their kelp bags lor drying by other means than the human breath; that the restrictions in connection with the certificates of masters and engineers of small craft carrying mut-ton-birders lie modified. The speaker pointed out that what they wanted chiefly was a duty of 3d on all birds imported. Mr T. Parata: The main point is that Tasmanian birds of an interior quality are being brought into New Zealand and sold as New Zealand birds at half tiie price. The public think they are Xew Zealand birds, and they hate been practically gulled. The merchants get the birds over hero by the case, and then employ native labour to do the birds up in kits. In reply to the ‘Minister it was stated that 200,000 birds came to Now Zealand from Tasmania. Mr Fisher; The trouble is that if you knock off the supply of a quarter of a million birds from Tasmania, can you meet the demand'.’ Air Wixon: If you amend the law. Mr Parata explained that ns the law stood at present only tiie owners of Hie islands could catch the birds. If the law wore amended Hie owners could eniplov other natives and so increase Hie supply. There was an abundance of birds. Tho Minister s.**.id would ffo ujlo the matter with Mr Parata.