FISH FOR THE PEOPLE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2810, 30 June 1916, Page 8

FISH FOR THE PEOPLE

MINISTER OF MARINE CURIOUS LETTER TO CITY COUNCIL A good deal of surprise was expressed at tho City Council last evening on the receipt of a letter from the Minister of Marine (the Hon. E. M'Nab), inquiring as to what the council was doing in the way of encouraging the fishing industry with a view to providing cheap fish for the public. Tho council's only venture in that respect has been the establishment of a small fish market near the Star Boating Club's shed, and that has not beon able to pay its way. me letter from l)r. M'Nab read as follows:—

"Bear Sir,—l shall fee) -veatly obliged if you will inform me u. L provision is made in this city for the supply of rislt to the inhabitants, and whether your, council has in contemplation any further extension of the existing facilities. I ask ■this information in connection w.ith tho question when is under consideration as to whether something cannot bo done to assist tho fishermen round the coasts to improve and extend the industry. Up to the present the assistance granted to them by successive Governments has drao 'little in the development of tho industry, and with the present Wellington prices of foodstuffs it seems an opportune" time to move forward in spite of tho difficulties standing in the way of providing money for the purpose. To enablo this to be done in a safe way I shall be glad to .receive tho information asked for above, and any suggestions which your council can make for developing the industry and ensuring the sale of the fish when caught, so that the peoplo may be able to obtain regular supplies at reasonable prices. Prof. Prince, the Canadian Commissioner of Fisheries, who two years ago visited the Dominion to report on our fisheries, and whoso preliminary report you have no doubt seen, had something to say upon tho question of improved fish markets. These might bo under local or Government control. I favour (at any rate in regard to our cities) local control. Some cities have already made a move, but much remains to bo done; I believe that if the cities were to set about tho perfecting.of the distribution of fish to the consumers within their areas, the work of organising and extending the supply sent to tho cities might well come within the province of the Government. I mean by organising and extending the supply the increase of the facilities by rail and otherwise for getting the fish to the markets, by improving fishing boats and the means of fishing, by a system of advances en and the insurance of fishing boats'and gear. A great field of development lies along these lines, but unless the cities will take up and perfect the means of distribution, and the means of preserving temporary excess of supply, there would be little use in the Government proceeding, with any development within tho range of what is suggested above.—Yours faithfully (Sgd.) Robert M'Nab.!.' • It was decided that tho loiter be dealt with by the Markets Committee.