FISHING INDUSTRY.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14145, 24 July 1916, Page 2

FISHING INDUSTRY.

BETTERING THE SUPPLY.

SOME IMPORTANT PROPOSALS

An important communication in reference to a better fish supply for the Dominion was received by tho Wellington City Council recently from the Minister for Marino (Hon. Dr. M'Nab). * "I shall be greatly obliged," ran the .letter,, "if you will inform me what provision is made in this city-for the [supply of fish to-the inhabitants,'and. whether your council has .in contempla-j turn any further extension'-of the existing faeiiities... I ask this information in i connection with the question which is under consideration as to whether something cannot be done to assist' the fishermen round the coasts to improve and extend the industry. ..Up to the present the assistance granted to them by successive Governments has done lie tie to help iv- the' development of the industry, and with the -present high prices of foodstuffs it seems an opportune time to move forward in spite of the difficulties standing in the way of providing money for the purpose. To enable this to be done in a safe -way I shall be yjj&cl to receive the information asked for above, and a?.y suggestion which your council can make for the developing "of the industry and ensuring the sale of fish when caught,, so that the people may be able to obtain regular supplies at reasonable prices.

"Professor Prince, the Canadian Commissioner of Fish- r:^, who, two -years ago, visited tik\ Dominion to report on our fisheries, and whose preliminary report you have no doubt seen,-liiad something to say upon the question of improved fish markets. These might be under local or Government control. I favour (at any rate in regard to- our cities) local control. Some cities have already made a move,hut much remains to be done. I believe that if the cities were to set about the perfecting of the distribution of fish to the consumers within their! •areas, the work of organising and extending the supplies might -well come within the province of the Government. I mean by organising and extending the supply, the increase of tho facilities by rail and otherwise for getting the fish t;> the market?., by imp roving fishing boats and the means &of fishing, by a system of advances on,'' and the insurance of, fishing bouts-and gear. A great fioid of development lies along these lines, but unless the cities will take up and perfect the means of distribution, and the means of preserving temporary excess of supply, there would be little use in the Government proceeding ..with any .development-.within the range*br..what'-is suggested above.*' Councillor Godber, chairman of the Health Committee,..saad the letter was a very important one., It had not yet come before the committee,-but a meeting would be held shortly, and a full i cport would fye made to the next council meeting.