FISHING RIGHTS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 57, 4 September 1926, Page 11

FISHING RIGHTS

IN TAUPO LAKE

CHARGE FOR LICENSES.

The clause in the Native Land Amendment . and Native Land Claims Adjustment. Bill in respect to fishing rights at Lake Taupo was subjected to some discussion in the House of Eepresentatives late.last night... . Mr. A. ]Vf. Samuel (Ohinemuri) in expressing his disapproval of tho clause' said it destroyed a privilego which New Zealand fishermen had enjoyed for many years. The agreement with the Natives had been mado without any reference •to the acclimatisation societies or to the sporting bodies. He also objected to the Natives being entitled to half of the fines collected. They wore to be made rangers, yet they were the wor^t poachers of all. He objected further to tho payment out of the Consolidated Fund of £3000 annuall--to the Tuwharetoa Trust Board. If the Bill was passed there was a danger of ■ similar disputes as to ownership cropping up in connection with other lakes in the Dominion. Tho Hon. Sir Maui .Pumare (Minis ter in Charge of the Cook Islands1) said that' the Constitutional Act of 1852 gave tEe Maoris sole fishing rights. The Bill gave the people of New Zealand the very- thing the previous speaker wanted —the right to fish. Ho pointed out that the Tuwharetoa tribe' had given the Tongariro National Park to the State, and he submitted that they had earned by that what was provided for in the Bill. In Committee on the Bill Mr. Samuel moved that permanent residents of New Zealand should be charged notmore than £1 for a fishing license. The Prime Minister said he could not accept the amendment. There must be reasonable revenue, and with the exception of two fishing clubs no objections had been raised against the proposed fees. • The amendment was defeated by 42 votes to 15. The Bill was passed with minor amendments.

DAIRY CONTROL BOARD

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.)

INVERCAEGILL, 3rd Sept. Mr. T. M. Timpany, at the request of a large number of co-operative dairy factories, has consented to contest the Southland ward of the Dairy Control Board. Mr. Timpany's nomination was sent forward yesterday.