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Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1927, Page 2

• The suggestion being put forward to enforce more control in the taking of whitebait, now that the industry is capable of returning such a volume, is worth considering from an economic point of view. The matter is of sufficient importance for all concerned to meet together and suggest possible regulations. It would be better for flic matter to initiate from this end. rather than that making of the regulations should he left to the purely official mind. The knowledge gained from experience here over long years in the habits of the little fish, should he of special value in the framing of any control regulations. Of particular importance is the duration of the season for the wholesale taking of the fish with set nets. At present the practice is to start catching at the earliest opportunity. It is a matter for expert decision as to how this action affects the general run for the remainder of the season, and the subsequent effect on the supply. There should he some information available on this point. As regards sawdust in streams'there is still room for some doubt on this question, hut it would he better to be sure than sorry, and the elimination of sawdust in streams should he aimed at. The action will he costly at the outset for the millers, but there should be some reasonable wav of enforcing the prohibition without unduly injuring the milling trade which of course must he recognised as an all important industry for the whole West Coast, where it

would appear whitebait are more prolific than elsewhere. There must ho some reasonable consideration as lx 4 - tween the two industries without the express desire to hinder or hamper ordinary production. The subject is of very great interest here where on the one hand so much employment is afforded by the sawmilling industry, and on the. other at seasonable times the whitebait industry brings so much grist to the mill. There will be some clashing of course; it is inevitable in the circumstances; hut a reasonable and progressive sot of regulations might meet the situation and solve the present difficulties in regard to this important district matter.