OUR FISHERIES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1509, 3 August 1912, Page 4

OUR FISHERIES.

DUNEDIN MEMBER'S PROPOSALS. _ Stato assistance to fishermen, by advancing sums of money to enable" thorn to buy boats, engines, etc., at more reasonable rates than at present, is suggested by Mr. G. M. Thomson, M.P., in a question addressed to the Minister for Marine. Mr. Thompson points out that the Stato lias done nothing to assist fishermen in the past, although it is to fishermen that wo must look in the future for nn improved food supply. The industry will also servo us a training-ground for recruits for (liu mercantile merino and tho navy.

In Another question, Mr. Thomson nslts the I'riino .Minister if ho will talre steps l.i investigate tho possibilities of converting tho fishing industry of tho Dominion into a State concern, so as (0 provide an' improved, cheaper, and more widely-dis-trilmted fish-supply than at prw>in n'si*. nnd to utilise moro efficiently tho vast and practically ex ha us; less resource... i.u the surrounding seas. Mr. Thomson suggests thnt nn experiment might be Ivied in the first instance at one centre, where by erection of a cold store, oil-extracting and desiccating apparatus, all the products of the fisheries could bo utilised. The existing interests, he stales, could lie purchased at a fair valuation, and those engaged in the industry would be encouraged to bring in and sell everything that was taken by net or line.