The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 28, 1930. WHITESAITE REGULATIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 28, 1930. WHITESAITE REGULATIONS.

The prospect of the whitebait regulations, which have been on the stocks now lor a considerable time, being brought into force at an early date, is causing some concern. The regulations which were prepared previously seem to provide the basis for the set now suggested for enforcement. Although very little objection iso far has been voiced, there is a strong undercurrent of objection to some of the proposals, and it brought into force : in the present form there is sure to be an outcry- —possibly , when it is too late, It would appear, ' however, that in respect to those engaged in fishing for a livelihood, there is some need for some more eifective control than has existed in the past, There has been much friction and difficulty about positions on the river banks, and in quite an indiscriminate way the fishing banks have been pushed out into the river. These objections have probably had some effect on the river How, though that is a matter for | consideration df the local authorities rather than the regulations. Yet the position has so grown that there is the need for a measure of reasonable control. The objectionable section of the proposed regulations is the part dealing with those who use only a drag net, and in the main the fish are for local or home consumption. Licensing and explicit regulations for the mode and manner of Llii.s class of fishing appear to be altogether superfluous, and are an invasion of personal rights which have existed since the early days. The

fish are the product of prolific nature, and as such do not cost the State anything. They appear in such generous shoals that no iiarin results where they can be caught. They are used legitimately lor food, and in these hard times will be a welcome addition to many menus where there is the opportunity to enjoy nature’s bounty. Oh the larger issue of irksome regulations affecting the indivivdual freedom, the Auckland “ Herald ” drops into gentle sarcasm as a means to discount the regulations. The country is governed largely by an over-plus of regulations, and where they can be avoided it is well for the average peace of mind that they should. If the regulations are going to affect the pockets of many folk who hitherto were able to add to the variety of the home suppl es a useful ami neces. sary dish, they will certainly be opposed, and if this objectionable part (.if the proposed administration Avere removed there'would be less opposition to the regulations. Also, such a step would reduce the cost of enforcing the regulations, as otherwise a number of patrol will be necessary to see that an irksome regulation is not broken.. On the other hand ,if the regulations have to be administered only in respect to licensed fishermen operating in a definite locality, supervision will be easier. At the same time with the number of rivers on this Coast, rigorous enforcement of any regulations will be fairly costly if all the streams are to be patrolled. On the vvliole, it appears to Uis that this is a matter of no great urgency, in any case, and there is a good deal in the remarks of the Auckland paper that the country could do with less regulations. This is the period when the country i.s seeking to reduce the cost of administration, but regulations such as proposed can only increase it, and at the same time will not add to the run of fish, which nature herself takes under direct control,