FISHING INDUSTRY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3560, 21 September 1916, Page 6

FISHING INDUSTRY.

ADVANTAGES OF TRAWLING.

INTENTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT.

Tho Minister of Marine (Hbn. JR. McNab), ill a statement at. Auckland regarding the advantages of trawling, said that his Department, in view of the increase in the prices of other foodstuffs, was now paying special attention to the question of trawling. Such need for development\of the' fish industry had never before existed.' A movement was now on foot in Wellington for the commencement of trawling, and for an improved and regular supply of fish. The intention of the Department, if the four duel' centres could arrange for,good marketing conditions, was to encourage not only the trawling industry,-but also the smaller fishermen; who carried, on net and line fishings in boats, and who could secure fish' that a trawler did hot'catch. This wa^ . ; th6 ...i:ecommendation of Professor I'rhico," 'arid :tne Government proposed to follow ib out.'

Next year, said the Minister., ho intended to introduce a scheme to assist returned soldiers who wore formerly engaged in seafaring occupations in engaging in the fishing industry. Assistance, would be given, as in the Old Country, in the way of advances and in insurance of boats and equipment. A start would be made in a small way, and when conditions again, became normal the scheme would be extended.

As to distributing facilities, experience showed tHat the most • '■'successful' plan, was to provide markets in the leading centres, and to supply the smaller country and coastal centres from those large towns. In referring to the possibilities of the extension of trawling, ,Dr. McNab said that the larger class of trawlers would probably be found advisable. Such steamers could go further afield, and 'with facilities for storing and preserving fish wduld be able to remain out longer from home. Old Country trawlers, he pointed out, were now going as far as Ireland, which was further from* their base than Australian waters were from New^Zealand. Ho suggested the possibility, if our own excellent fishing grounds were not more fully developed, of Australian trawlers turning their attention to Dominion waters.