Bill That Stops Pollution Of Rivers

Chronicle (Levin), 13 August 1948, Page 5

Bill That Stops Pollution Of Rivers

WELLINGTON, August 12. When the Fisheries Amendment Bill was being discussecl in committee, Opposition members criticised the implications of an amendment introduced bv Mr. Hackett, providing for the niakiug of regulations prohibiting the cust ing of any rubbish or refuse or inaterial of any lrind, into any waters or on any river bed. They claimed tliat. tlie amendment, as drafted, was far too' wide and would, in particular, be a serious threat to the dairy industry as dairy factories might be prohibited from washing down into streams and rivers. Mr. Algie said the amenclnient, if litcrally interpreted, might even be used to stop fly-fisliing. Mr. Hackett pointed out that a provision similar to that contained in the p.mendment, had been in' former legislation for 25 years. He and other Government members claimed that the provision had always been administered with coinmonsense and discretion, that it was essential to safeguard the Dorninion 's streams and rivers from harmful pollution, and that the amendment had to be read in conjunction with other relevant pTovisions 'which made it clear that the prphibitions would apply only to material of a rubbishy nature which was harmful to fish.