FRESH WATER FISHERIES

Southland Times, Issue 22998, 18 September 1936, Page 8

FRESH WATER FISHERIES

Money For Research INCREASED LICENCE , FEES AMOUNT HIGHER BY FIVE SHILLINGS (From Our Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, September - 17. In spite of the fact that several Opposition members were inclined to discuss the fisheries Amendment Bill in lighter vein, no difficulty was experienced in putting the measure through all its stages in the House of Representatives to-day. The Bill provides for an increase in the fishing licence fees chargeable by acclimatization societies and for payment to part of that increase to the Government, to be devoted towards the cost of research into fresh water fisheries. In moving the second reading of the Bill, the Minister of Marine (the Hon. P. Fraser) stated that the fees to be charged by the acclimatization societies would be fixed by Order-in-Council. It was proposed to increase the licence fees by 5/-, and of this amount 2/6 would go to the society concerned and 2/6 to the Government for research purposes. The estimated annual yield as far as the Government was concemed was £l2OO. The research activities would be directed from Wellington. . “The benefits of proper research, as far as trout fishing is concerned, will more than comnensate for the increase in the licence fee,” the Minister added. “Acclimatization societies are practically unanimous in favouring the proposal.” , Mr W. P. Endean (Nat., Parnell) advocated the extension of research activities to salt water fisheries, and said that in this respect the Government would be well advised to obtain the services of an overseas expert.. The Bill was put through its remaining stages and passed.