CONSERVING THE OYSTER SUPPLY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2057, 30 April 1907, Page 3

CONSERVING THE OYSTER SUPPLY.

AIR. AIILLAR’S PROPOSALS. Press Association. AUCKLA ND, yesterday. The intention of the Alarine Department to seek legislative power in regard to the State control of the oyster beds of Auckland was referred to the Hon. -T. A. Alillar, Minister for Alarine by a Star representative. “I intend introducing a hill dealing with the question next session,” said the Minister, “as the experience of the past has shown that indiscriminate picking is simply' ruining the beds on tlie whole of the islands and foreshores. Those which were opened last year for picking have been stripped absolutely hare, and it will take five years for them to recover. Tf the gamo thing is allowed to continue there will soon he no oysters in Auckland or anywhere else. We are opening a certain portion thi* .year only until the whole question of licensing the foreshores to those people who own contiguous land lias been considered by Parliament. Aly proposal will be that landowners are allowed to lease beds at a fail- price from the Government, and that they do the picking the Government retaining sufficient areas in tlieir hands to prevent any monopoly or increase in price. The lessees will only pick the mature oysters, and will thus ensure a regular. supply. They will have to regulate their charges by the price wo put on those taken from our beds, and thus there will lie no fear of a monopoly'. Of course, our pickers will have strict instructions to pick only mature oysters, so that fresh supplies will he ready season after season, and our local market kept supplied.” “Do you propose to prohibit the export of oysters to Sydney?”

“f do not think there will he any necessity to do so this year, because, the beds opened will only be sufficient for local requirements, and the number will not he- increased. The area already gazetted will have to suffice for the whole of the season, and when they are exhausted no more will he opened. Something would probably he done in the way of oysters on the stripped beds.”

PROTEST PROAI TRADERS. AUCKLAND, last night. .V Aleeting of those engaged in the Auckland oyster trade was held-to-night. The opinion was expressed that the system of opening beds in sections was detrimental to the industry. The closing of the Alahanangi beds for the last six or seven years had resulted in the death of a large number of oysters through clustering, and it was believed the same thing would happen at AVailieke and other places. The beds proposed to be opened by the Alinister would not give a fortnight’s fishing to the whole of them 4 The beds were better for a periodical thinning out. It was resolved to wait on the Hon. J.A. Alillar in-connection with the matter.