LAKE FISHERIES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1817, 1 August 1913, Page 6

LAKE FISHERIES.

THE QUESTION OF CONTROL. SOME PROBLEMS. Air. ,T. 11. BRADNEY (Auckland West) presented tho report of the A to L PetitioiM Committee, 011 tho petition of 553 residents of tlio Rotorua and Taupo districts, praying that the control of acclimatisation matters in these districts should be taken from the Tourist Department and placed under a local acclimatisation society, The committee recommended that, in new the impending visit of the' Canadian I'islieries Commissioner, tho petition lw referred to tho Government for consideration. Air. J. PAYNE (Grey Lynn) said that the weight of evidence given, before the committee did not support the allegation of a waut of competency on the part of the officer in charge of tho fisheries.

Mr. C. It. WILSON (T'aumarunui) said that these lakes had been stocked by the Auckland, Tatiranga, and Hawke's Bay Acclimatisation' Societies at a sacrifico of much time and money. Since, tho Government took over tho control of tho lakes the fish had deteriorated in quality considerably, and the best thing that the Government could <to would bo to liand the control of tho lakes'to a local society as requested.. He did not blame the officer in chargo, but ho thought that the change asked for should be made. During tlio past few years hundreds of tons of fish had been taken out of tho lakes and allowed to decay on the banks. Ho criticised tho paying of a man ~£3 a week.for shooting shags, holding that it would bo better to pay so-much pit head for the birds. There had also been too great an expenditure on launches. A Dominion Asset. Mr. W. D. S. AIACDONALD (Bay of Plenty) said that 110 agreed to some extent with Air. Wilson. It was true that tho fish had deteriorated, buit it must bo remembered that their natural food supply was not now what it was when tlicy wero put into the lakes. As to a waste of fish, ho pointed out that tho smoking of fish at Rotorua had been proceeding for some time. It Was certainly absolutely necessary that some steps should .lie taken to improvo the condition of thm fish. He was not, however, quito suro that the establishment of a local acclimatisation society would improve matters. The Government had spent a largo sum 011 tho fisheries, which was now one of the Dominion's greatest assets. Air. Bradnci.v said that there was a groat waste of fish in connection with tho ( lakes, and 110 urged that instead of it being wasted in this way it should bo converted into a marketable commodity. Doomed Fisheries. _ Air. T. Al. WILFOItD (Hutt) said that it only took a few years for an area ofwater to become absolutely stiff with fish. In the lakes, owing to the absence of natural enemies, nearly all the fish came to maturity. There were millions of fish where formerly there were thousands. Disease had come in, and the fish had become cannibals. The problem was to reduce tlio number of fish, and to increase tlio supply of food. Th.e Dominion had lost thousands and thousands a year owing to the deterioration in the fishing owing to people 110 longer coming to this country to fish. Neither an acclimatisation society nor tho Government was going to save the trout fisheries in New Zealand. The fisheries would go the way that tho rainbow trout went ill every part of tho world. 110 believed that tho Government should hold tlio fisheries, for whatever they were going to be, as against the acclimatisation societies. Ho knew how acclimatisation societies had run fisheries previously, and ho did not like it. 110 did not believe that the Government or anybody else could put tlio fisheries right. Tho destruction of shags was not going to do away with diseaso in tho fish. Tho Government should break up tho land monopoly round tho shores of Lake Taupo, which led to extortionate charges being levied for tlio right to camp. He had paid .£8 per week for tho right to pitch cis'lit tents at Taupo. Placing control of the fisheries in the hands of the acclimatisation societies would only bo to build wp a close corporation. Air. Wilford said that ho had made 0110 of a. party of twelve which fished Taupo last year. Thoy caught twelve hundredweisfht of fish, not a big catch. Tho condition of the fish was dreadful, not one fish in eight being good. In his opinion, Messrs. Aloorhouse and Ayson sliculd lv> plae™ l in absolute control of the fisheries. They would do all that could be done, but lie bdieved that the best dnys had gone for fishing.in Now Zealand.

Tourist Department Assailed. Tho Hon. J. A. MILLAIt said that tho deterioration in tho fishing in Lake Taupo Wits freely .admitted. But he would like to know wliat the Tourist Department was doing to improvo tho fishing. Tho Department was netting tlie spawning beds in tho rivers, and tho best foil were being taken out and buried. What tho Department should do was to not the lake and leave the spawning bads alone. Tho Taupo fisheries would be absolutely spoiled if the Tourist Department continued its present policy. Mr. Payne: Tliey aro only netting the diseased fish.

Mr. -Millar: Tho hon. gentleman doesn't know what he is talking about. There is hardly a diseased fish in Taupo. liotoruci, ho continued, was not worth fishing in. It only produced small fish, but in his experience tiicy woro not "slabs." It would ruin the .fisheries to place them under the control of tho Internal Affairs Department. No better man to take control of tho fisheries would be found anywhere than Mr. Ayson. -Mr. Millar advocated tho introduction of Siskoc herrings as food for tho trout in the lakes.

The Problem of Control. The Hon. F. M. B. FISHER said that when they came into office they found the control oi' the fisheries under three Ministers, and ono of tho objects of bringing the Canadian expert mis to sec under which head their control should bo placed. He believed they should be under the Marine Department. AYhy had tho previous Ministry not done that? ITon. J. A. Millar: Will you do it? Jlr. Fisher: I am going to try. This divided control is responsible for a good deal of tlic damage that has been done. Tho fact of tho matter was, continued tho Minister, that when the petition was before the Committee, thoso who appeared for Auckland were stuffed with information which was qnito inaccurato, and lie would say that the member for Tatimarunui was also stuffed with information that was inaccurate. He considered tlio action of tho Department was wise in bringing in an expert to give his report. He hoped the House would rest quietly till tliat report was availbale. Very shortly, also, he would lay on the table of the House the report of Mr. Ayson upon tlic fisheries of New Zealand. Mr. AVil ford: Will that cover Kotorua?

Mr. Fisher: Yes, it should cover all tho fishing of New Zealand, and it should be laid on tho table of the House.

Mr. G. M. THOMSON (Duncdin North) said that tho history of the fish in Otago showed that they grew at a very rapid rale, and speedily destroyed all tho natural food. Then the fish lx>gaii to cat each other, and the small ones suffered. In quiet waters the fish were liable to be attached l.v fungoid growths. _ This happened at Wa'kalipu. He desired to sav. that year he had not agreed with the proposals of the Minister, hut he ap. nroved now of (lie invitation extended to Professor Prince. He believed, however, that fisheries should 'c removed from their present control, and given a separate existence. Hitherto it had not had a proper chance. Officers Defended, Mr. L. M. ISITT ffihristcliurch North),

as a member nr tlio Committee, defended (ho Department. Tho Acclimatisation Society had alleged that Mr. Ayson had made a frightful hash of things, and Mr. Moorhouso was stated to have boon so incompetent (hat they wondered how ever ho had Leon appointed. Yet when II r. Moorhouso was given a chance—n quarter of an hour to reply to a whole morning's argument—he (the speaker) never saw a man so absolutely wipe the floor with his opponents and justify his actions. The promoters of the petition wero absolutely sttilled with erroneous information. Tho report was laid on the table. A COMPENSATION CLAIM.

I IAI PORTA NT PRINCIPLE INVOLVED. Mr. J. H. BRADNEY (Auckland West) presented tho report of tho Public Petitions. A to L Committee 011 t'he petition of Joseph Cody, of Olialame, praying lor compensation, for cancellation of a wholesale license at Taihape. The committee gave its opinion that tho petition should ■bo referred to tho Government for tavourable consideration. Air. L. Al. ISITT (Christchurch North) said that if it adopted tho recommendation the Government would establish a very dangerous precedent, and one, at all events, that ought to apply all round. Tho Government had never proposed to compensate No-License pcoplo for losses incurred in litigation. If compensation wero granted in this case it would mean that whenever a magistrate or a licensing committee gave a decision that involvod a man in financial loss, the Government would have to grant compensation in consideration of tlio loss - . 110 advised the Government to look very carefully into the matter before it established any such precedent.

Air. G. LAURENSON (Lyttelton) contended that tho decision of tho committee was just and equitable. This was a. case of a man who was first of all granted a license by a licensing committee. ■ 111 good faith lie incurred expense on tho strength of this, and ultimately was informed that tlio license had been granted in error and must be revoked. It was clearly a case for compensation. Air. .T. PAYNE (Grey Lynn) and Air. H. ATAIORE (Nelson) took a similar view of tho position. Arr. A. H. lIINDAIARSH (Wellington South) caid that where the State inflicted an injury it sliould pay compensation. He recalled the case of Alotorman Barton, who was injured in Wellington by a State eoal wagon. Tho great Liberal party, said Mr. Himlmarsn, raised all sorts of technical objections to 'tho man getting compensation. _ In the present case <a doctrine of principal and servant was being set ut>. He did not object to petitioner in this case getting compensation, but tho view of the matter taken by members should bo borne in mind for fntnro guidance.

ATr. W. II; D. BELL (Wellington Suburbs) said that it seemed to him that the ease was analogous to tliat of a litigant who suffered less owing to a wrong judgment being given. A precedent was being established which might land the Stato into endless compensation, which it couild not afford to meet.

A Dangerous Precedent. Air. A. S. AIALCOLAI (Olutha) took a similar view. Ho pointed out that a contractor wronged by a. local body had a remedy against the local body and its members only, not against the State, it would open tho. way to corruption if tho position wero otherwise. To admit a claim against tho State in such a case would bo to admit a principle which never had been, and never could be, adopted in this country. If it wero adopted, members of local. bodies would be positively encouraged in carelessness, and tho injured person could always apply to the Stato for compensation. Air. E. P. LEE (Oamuru) also objected to compensation being granted, contending that if it were a very dangerous precedent would be established.

Air. R. W. SMITH (Waimarino), tho mcmbor who presented the petition, contended that the Committee had come to a right decision. '

Mr. J. 11. BTiADNEY (Auckland West) said that the only question to be considered wus whether tho petitioner had suffered loss by the action of the Licensing Committee. It hadbeen stated in evidence that the petitioner and another claimant were both represented by solicitors at successive meetings of tlio Licensing Committee. Yet no question of tho legality of issuing tho license was raised. Tho Government should bo responsible for tho acts of its servants. Evidence before tho Committee had shown that the precedent spoken of had been already established. . Tiie report was referred to the Government for favourable consideration.

PUBLIC TRUST BILL. SOME IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. Tho Public Trust Office Amendment Bill was introduced by Governor's Message nn<l read a first time. Tho Hon. A. L. HERDMAN said that tlio Bill was an amending mcasuro giving effect to recommendations of tho commission .appointed some time ogo to investigate the ail'airs of the Public Trust Office. It altered the constitution of the board proposing that it should consist of seven members, including two from outside, 0110 a commercial man and tho other a man knowing something about stock and farming. These members would each ba paid a fixed fco of £250 a year lor attending meetings. ft" s sell: To be appointed by tho 1 iiblic Service Commissioner? Sir. Hcrdinaii: The Public Servico Commissioner has nothing to do with it. Mr. lhissell: More patronage! Mr. jlerdmau: Thero is no patronage about it. Ihe appointments will be made from , tho best men in New Zealand. ;

Mr. Russell: Will members of Parliament bo allowed on it?

Mr. Herdman (jestingly): Certainly not irom that side of the House! Mr. Witty: AVe didn't expect it l Mr. Herdman said that the Bill provided for the appointment by beneficiaries of advisory or oustodlanj trustees to act with the Publio Trustee. Tho number of custodian trustees would depend upon tho will of tho testator.

Mr. Wilford: If thero are two custodians and one Public Trustee, will tho legal work go outside? Mr. Herdman: That will entirely depend upon the directions in the will, and tho honourable gentleman, who is a lawyer, knows it. Mr. Wiliord: Or upon the custodians. Mr. Herdman said that the Bill would enable a beneficiary in an ostato not in tho hands of tho Publio Trustee to call in the Public Trustee to investigate tho condition, of the estate. Where an estate was being administered by tho Public Trustee, power was given to beneficiaries to call in an outsider to investigate tho condition of tho estate. Provision was mado that, where infants were entitled to receive or participate under tho Workers' Compensation Act, the funds might be paid over to the Public Trustee, who would see that they were properly spent. It sometimes hap'poned now that such funds were spent by the widow of a worker without any benefit accruing to the children. It was also provided that where damages were recovered on behalf of an infant or a person of unsound mind, these moneys should bo paid to the Publio Trustee. At tho present time tho Advances Department had power, where it had accepted a leasehold security to which tho owner had forfeited his right, to put matters right," if it so desired, b3forc tho loaso was forfeited. Similar power was being vested in tho Public Trustee. Another clause raised from i!2UO to .(MOO the value of estates in respect of which administration might be secured at a minimum of cost. The Bill would make the work of the Public Trust Oliics more popular, especially in the interest of people in poor circumstances. Mr. Wilford directed attention to tho fact that the Public Trust Commission had been instructed to inquire into tho manner in which the affairs of members of the Native race were administered, and asked whether tho recommendations under this head would bo dealt with ill a Native Bill.

Mr, Henlinan: It will be dealt with in n separate Bill altogether—not a Xalivo liilL