ACCLIMATISATION MATTERS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 11492, 27 January 1903, Page 5

ACCLIMATISATION MATTERS.

THE LATE CONFERENCE.

INTERVIEW WITH MR J. B. FISHER

Mr J. B. Fisher, Chairman of the Chrintchureh Acclimatisation Society, who has just returned from the Wellington Conference, was intei"viewed by a member of "The Press' , sUvrl yesterday reg-.irdinir certain niatteis dealt with at the meeting c-l delegate* f-.cun different Societies. Mr Fisher said:—"Our Society has lonj; felt, the difficulty which lias existed in the matter of bringing abiut unanimity between

the various Societies in refeience to acclimatisation matters, and the neeessitv ot bringing our united action to bear upon the Government.' ,

It was only fair, continued Mr Fisher, to say that the Government hud themselves felt the difficulty, and had poime.l out that tile matter w;us haul u> deal with, and th.it until tstmie united opinion had betn obtained from the various Acclimatisation Societies they hardly knew which way to move. At the very inception i_-f the united movement, Mr (i. McHaftie. >'f the Canterbury Council, was the lirst to suggest the iuriuatioii of a union of the So eieties on much the same Hues- as similar effort* which had been canied out on behalf of lacing, athletk-s-, and trotting. The Canterbury Association had ltcentiy called a largely attended meeting of delegate-*. Ac which the opinion was expressed that a New Zealand Association should be formed, aj:d a meeting held at Wellington for the purpose of giving expression to its opinions. Mesisis G. Mciiatiie, H. A BiTice, and G. B. Kitchie wtre appointed an delegates iroin Canterbury, but of these two were unable to leave tneir business Therefore he (Mr Fisher) went instt;rd. The meeting opened on Friday last, and the Government gave every possible assistance by placing the big dining-room at Bellamy's at their disposal, and by giving them the assignee of Mr Ayson's matured experience. ilone tlwn that, a member ot the Ministry, the Hon. T. Y. Duncan, had tione them the honour of assisting at their deliberations, and of expressing his willingness to become a member of their Council. When the delegates met on Friday morning Mr Fisher proposed that Air Fitzroy, the president of the Hawke's Bay Society, be chairman, which was carried, and Mr H. A. Bruce, _of the Canterbury Society, undeitook the secretarial duties The first duty of the Conference was to determine the objects of the Society, and it wa.s agreed:—(l) To try and bring about unanimity of ieeiing and action on the par* of the various Societies on acclimatisation matt ere, and (2) to ensure a united voice on subjects affecting the aanie, and to assist the Government in framing legislation in tlie.se interests.

The feeling of the Conference was thai although in the interests of tourists and anglers it was necessary tv the trout fishing, at the same time the tish had become so thoroughly established that Uie Government would be compelled, under proper restrictions and conditions, to provide for the netting of trout in come ot the lakes and estuaries and in the eon; that the Conference should recognise Uus, and assist the Government in giving effect to it. It was also felt that the prohibition of netting did not prohibit, and that the iish would obtain greater protection if netting were properly regulated. The fish in seas, lakes, and rivers were alike netted, dynamited, tickled, and done to death by all sorts of illegitimate means, and after their decea.se were sold in an. illegal market. Were proper regulation** introduced, tlie Government, the Magistracy, and puoiic feeling alike would see that fish wore not taken otherwise than in accordance wrtli regulations. At present the feeling was the other way. With the Magistracy and the public feeling against the Jaw, it cost the societies about £5 to get a conviction, and when that had been obtained nominal fines only were inflicted, and the law was a dead letter , . Were a proper law made lor the regulation of netting it would have Ito be enforced, and public sympathy and support-would necessarily follow. The newly-elected Council was composed of good men, all of whom had for years past taken a great interest in acclimatisation matters, and the resolutions passed by them were conducive to the best interests of acclimatisation throughout New Zealand. They were thoroughly agreed that while the anglers were entitled to a certain amount of protection, the public right to the food supply was at least deserving of equal consideration. ' A Committee was appointed, and rules adopted. They sat all Friday and Saturday, and) when it came to the election of officers, he (Mr J. B. Fisher) was elected the first president, though he was of opinion that Mr Fitzroy, who had been their chairman throughout the meeting, and who had borne the heat and burden of the day, was more entitled to the honour. Mr Fitzroy, however, said that the presidency was due to the Canterbury Association, and Mr Fisher's election was carried! by acclamation. In accepting the position Mr Fisher paid that lie did co not only as an honour to himself, but to tne Bociety which he represented. The names of the newly-elected Council were published in yesterday'.s "l'res/s."