OYSTER FISHERIES

Southland Times, Issue 20202, 13 June 1927, Page 7

OYSTER FISHERIES

LEASING OF BEDS SUGGESTED. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, June 11. A proposal that the oyster beds controlled by the Marine Department should be leased to private individuals was made to the Minister of Marine (the Hon. G. J. Anderson) by Mr Bull, of Manakau. The Minister promised to consider the matter, but expressed a paramount desire to protect the interests of the public from a monopoly and unreasonable prices. He said it was correct that the output was fluctuating, but he doubted that if they had a capital of £20,000 whether they could secure sufficient experts to control the matter. Their new inspector was taking steps to endeavour to remedy the trouble and was going into the question of temperature, etc. There was a good deal to be said in favour of leasing the beds because the owners of the foreshore would look after the beds and see that they were not poached. The matter of leases, however, had had the attention of Ministers from the time oysters became revenue producing. It was found that if leases were granted the beds were likely to fall into the hands of a few people and the public would have to pay severely for their oysters. This position he had not so far been able to overcome. He would have a talk with the department’s law officers and see if it were possible to frame suitable leases at the same time preserving public interests. The matter wanted mature consideration.