WHITEBAITING

Hokitika Guardian, 11 July 1932, Page 3

WHITEBAITING

REGULATIONS DISCUSSED.

MEETING AT TOWN HALL.

There was an attendance of about sixty persons at the Town Hall on Saturday night when a meeting of-fisher-men interested in the wbitebaiting industry was held. Mr Neil Warren was voted to the chair, and Mr J. O’Brien Mjehiber for Westland, was present. The Chairman declared the meeting open and invited discussion. Mr A. Cutbush wished to know who was the convenor of the meeting, and if the convenor had-any concrete facts to place before thh^inbkting.

Messrs H. Harvey and G. Howe, admitted convening the meeting, as they were desirous of objecting to the new regulations.

Mr W. Holley moved that the meeting recommend that the Government be asked to allow fishermen to fisli under the old regulations. Seconded, by Mr G Howe. ' ~

Mr Outbush stated be had a copy of the proposed regulations, which stated that the matter of a license fee would uot operate till July 1933. Most of those, preseiit had no knowledge of the proposed new regulations'. Some of the men present thought that one or two should get the whole of the catch and that tile other fishermen should starve.

Mr HoPey interjected and was called to order by the chairman, who stated he would give the interjecitor his opportunity to reply later. Continuing. Mr Cutbush saicl everyone knew what had happened in the creek and the conditions there, would have to be’'altered.

Mr Cutbush then moved an amendment : That this meeting is. strongly iV favour of Regulation 18, which deals with fishing in Mahinapua Creek. There was no seconder. I

After further discussion the motion 1 was put and carried by 32 to 2. The Chairman suggested the appointment of a secretary- to enhyev their decision to the' Marine Department and the Unemployment Board. Mr B. Biddelph wanted to know where the 10/1 license fee was going. It was resolved to convey the resolution passed to the Inspector of Fisheries. Mr Holley supported the election of a secretary. Mr Warren thought they were playing into the hands , of the Department by, objecting to the license fee of 10/-, though he did not approve e* the charge. He suggested that an association of fishermen be formed.

By request, Mr J. O’Brien explained why he was present at the last and the present meeting. He recalled that in 1929, Vhen the previous regulations were being considered,, at the request of the. whitebaiters be had . made a rpouest to the Minister of Marine thai before any new regulations were brought l into force he would give an opportunity to .those affected 1 to discuss \ them. This the Minister had agreed ..to. There was a great difference in the conditions prevailing in each district. The Minister had promised that the Inspector of Fisheries would visit the district and meet the fishermen. He had therefore come clown to the last meeting when advised it, was - to. take place. He was perfectly neutral on the matter, only desiring to advance their best At that meeting he had been Appointed chairman, And he had endeavoured to support what he thought were the wants of the fishermen. It would he a hard job to stop the issue of new, regulations. There were many matters to consider which included the pollution of streams by sawdust. He would lapleased to-do everything in his power to have their views placed before the Minister. - *

It was mentioned that the proposed license fees would not be collected this season.

Mr Dale moved that Mr O’Brien he requested to convey'the views of tne meeting to the Minister*of Marine.— Carried.

Mr Harvey moved that the fishermen protest to the Unemployment Board against payment of any feet fox trenches., Seconded by Mr Spoor and carried.

. The proposal ofl the Chairman to form an Association and elect a committee was agreed to. On the suggestion of Mr-I* W. Heenan it was resolved the committee consist of an independent chairman, two members to represent creek fishermen, two for

river trench fishermen and two for drag net fisherfiien. The following were then elected:— Creek: Messrs G. Howe and Holley; River: Messrs E. Heenan and Biddeph; Drag Nets: Messrs Barrow and Fane. Chairman, Mr N. Warren.

It was resolved that the .association affiliation fee be 1/- per mehiber. Mr E. Heenan said the meeting was a representative one and he'moved that it favor the size of drag nets ! being allowed to remain as they were j and that there be & ballot for tranches j each season. ‘ I Mr Holley said the latter proposal was ridiculous. It cost him £25 to £3O to erect a* trench in the creek. 1 Mr Cutbush said file new regulations | meant*some radical changes. Mr Biddelph—You’ve got a hole, in your net! Mn Cutbush moved that the meetj ing does not approve of interfering with present trench holders. Mr Holley seconded—Carried. Mr Cutbush pointed out that the railway freights on whitebait for 28lbs was 2/6, while for 291 hs it was 4/ A, while Icwt of groper cost only 3/9. He moved that the attention of the Railway Department he drawn to the excessive charges made for the carriage o'’ whitebait. Mr Heenan seconded.—Carried. A vote of appreciation of the at-

tendance of Mr O’Brien was carried by acclamation and a similar vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.

WHITEBAITERS’ ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of tile committee of the Whitebaiters’ Association was held last evening, Mr E. Heenan being appointed secretary.' It was resolved to write to Mr O’Brien, M.P., thanking him for his painstaking assistance to the industry. The secretary'Was/instructed to wire 1 the Minister of Mxffine asking him to hold the proposed regulation in abeyance until they are further considered by the Associf iion. * It was decided to request the local Inspector of Fisheries to assist the association by collecting the membership fee from the applicants for registration. It was resolved that all delegates be authorised to collect members subscriptions in their respective areas. The matter of freight charges on railed fish will be brought under the notice of the authorities concerned with a view to a fair adjustment. Other matters concerning the industry were discussed and it was decided at a later date to draft provisional regulations and submit same to a general meeting for approval. I A f 'ter discussion it was decided to procure membership cards and distribute • same to all financial members, j This concluded the business and the | pbbn-man nml seefetarv were instructed to call any future meeting.