WHITEBAIT FISHING

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1932, Page 12

WHITEBAIT FISHING

RESTRICTION OF SEASON.

ATTITUDE OF MAORIS.

According to a letter addressed to an Auckland paper by a resident of Ratana Pa, the opinion is held among the Maori people that the close season proclaimed for whitebait fishing in the North Island, from November 15 to June 30, does not apply to members of the native race. However, this view is not supported by officials of the Department of Fisheries, who consider that the regulation was introduced to save serious depletion of whitebait stocks and who intend to see it universally enforced. . The Maori correspondent states that the regulations do not apply to members of the native race, as they have a position of immunity under the Treaty of eries Act and regulations are subject of Waitangi. It is claimed that the Fisheries Act, 1908, in support of this contention.

“Consequently,” the correspondent concludes, “no enactment or regulation can override the Maori fishing rights, which enable Maoris, to catch whitebait in any manner, in any quantity, for food or sport, in any New Zealand water and the whole year through. For all this we return thanks to the Father, Son, Holy Mother, the Holy Angels, the Faithful Angels and their and our own mouthpiece, Piri Wiri Tua, for ever and ever more.” The matter was referred to an official of ths Fisheries Department, who said that, in spite of any protests, the regulation would be enforced on all sections of the community, whether Maori or European. The decrease in the stocks of whitebait was causing much concern, and it had been decided to restrict the season to 'protect whitebait stocks. :

, The position at present was that fully 90 per'cent, of the whitebait fishing on the "Waikato River was done by Maoris, and if they were permitted to carry on the object of the'regulations would be defeated. Officials of the Fishers Department were unable to take action against Maoris without first, informing the Native Affairs Department, but after November 15 the regulations would be strictly enforced.