OYSTER FARMING

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1931, Page 7

OYSTER FARMING

AN AVENUE FOR WORK. MONOPOLY OF THE STATE. In connection with the Auckland Unemployment Committee’s recommendation that an investigation be made into the question of stimulating industries in Auckland, with a view to absorbing the unemployed, a proposal, was made by an Auckland business man that oyster cultivation in the Hauraki Gulf be undertaken on a large scale by private enterprise. This industry is at present a Government monopoly, and it is claimed that its transfer to private hands would be followed by an expansion of the oyster beds and a corresponding increase-in Any person wishing to lay oyster beds now has to obtain special permission from the Marine Department, and it is doubtful if there has ever been a case in which such permission hasbeengranted. Inviewof has been granted. In view of the unemployment situation and the desirability of expanding an industry which should prove very popular, as well as profitable, the informant strongly expressed the opinion that the department should abandon its strict monopolistic policy and permit private enterprise to function. He added that if larger quantities of oysters were obtainable they could be profitably canned, for export.