TRAWLERS STILL OPERATE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 190, 8 December 1941, Page 4

TRAWLERS STILL OPERATE

GPOTIKI COMPLAINT PRIME MINISTER TO BE WAITED ON Although various representations have been made to Ministers of the Crown at various times concerning the unsatisfactory position that prevails in regard to trawlers fishing very close to the shores of the Opotilvi beach, so far no results have been obtained, and in spite of assurances to the effect that the matter would receive all consideration, the representations have so far apparently fallen on deaf ears. It is a well known fact that the best time to obtain quick response to deputations is just before an election, and no doubt the Opotiki Borough Council had this in mind on Tuesday night when it decided to form a strong deputation to wait on the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, when he visits Opotiki shortly in the course of his electioneering campaign in the Bay of Plenty. Cr S. E. Webb brought up the matter at the council meeting and told of trawlers fishing jjractically in the breakers. As a result of this all the food in the form of small fish are being dragged out of the water, and what was once a rich fishing ground has been practically depleted of fish by trawlers from Whakatane and Auckland which carry out periodical raids on our beaches. The manner in which the trawlers carried out their work on the beaches- was referred to by Cr S. Webb, who stated that in order to hide their identity, the trawlers covered up their numbers with sacks. Cr Day jsaid that Mr W. Walker should be a member of the deputation as he thoroughly understood the position. A letter should be sent to the Prime Minister in advance . Cr Webb said that with these outside trawlers infringing it was almost impossible for Opotiki fishermen to get a fish. Cr Webb said that Auckland boats came down; but it was chiefly a Whakatane boat that was responsible. Cr Johnson supported the Avriting of a letter to the Prime Minister immediately, and a deputation waiting on the Minister when he visits Opotiki. It was decided to act a long these lines.—News.