QUINNAT SALMON.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 19 November 1924, Page 9

QUINNAT SALMON.

AS FOOD FOR THE PEOPLE

CONFERENCE WITH MINISTER OF

MARINE

Last night in Timaru the Minister of Marine (Hon. G. J. Anderson) held a conference with representaLives of Acclimatisation Societies in reference to the netting of quinnat salmon in Canterbury and Otago rivers. There were present—Messrs H. M. Godby and E. Stead (North Canterbury .Acclimatisation Society), L; J 3. Janies, T. RMackay and J. E. Pigott (South Canterbury), Nash and Rathagen (Wainuite), . tie fiord (Ashburton), Piper (Wgitalci), Butter worth (Otago), L. F. Ayson (Chief Inspector of Fisheries for New Zealand); and Messrs .Ayson Jr., and; Godfrey (officers of the Fisheries Department). Mr .E. J. Rolleston, M.P., for Timaru. introduced the Minister to the delegates, and expressed the hope that the deliberations, would be of mutual benefit.

A long discussion, lasting two and/ a "half hours, ensued, much of' it being taken in committee. * . The Minister explain id that the Goivernmeut did not want to act in an antagonistic way towards the Acclimatisation Societies, which had done and were doing excellent work; on the contrary they desired to work amicably with them. There was no idea .of spoiling the sport of anglers, but the Govermnent had spent a lot of money in introducing quinnat salmon to the snow-fed rivers of New Zealand, and desired that commercial use should be made of these fish. It had always been intended' that quinnat salrnoii should provide good and cheap food for the people as soon as they became sufficiently plentiful. It was proposed to sell the.,netting rights in the different livers, ,hiit petting would only be done under the. strict control of the Government arid. the • Acclimatisation ■ Societies. It was intended to reserve a certain area, from the mouth of each ri.vgr for tlie exclusive use of arid the, only .extra charge that it ivas proposed .to make would he me to those who desired to catch quinnat for sale; He. invited' a free discussion. . Sucli a discussion ensiied, the representatives of each district explaining what was considered best for their respective districts in, this matter.. . In the case of the .Uarigitata river, it was agreed that the i etting should be confined to that stretch between tlie railway bridge and the general traffic bridge. .. . ■ • In, tlie, course of. the discussion Mr Ayson mentioned that it was irtended to introduce a new trout from America, for liberation in the mountain streams here., . .i .■ ~ The Minister thanked the delegates for the cordial spirit in which they mol discussed Die business of the conference .with him; and oil the motion..of Mr Gocjby a li<»»ftv. vote of thanks was passed to the Minister, ~