DOMINION NAVAL DEFENCE

Taihape Daily Times, 17 March 1919, Page 6

DOMINION NAVAL DEFENCE

VALUE OF FISHERMEN.

The relation of the fishing industry i to naval defence was touched upon hy Mr L. F. Ayson, chief inspector of fisheries in giving evidence before the Fisheries Commission on Wednesday. Mr Ayson mentioned that in his report to Parliament in 1899 the following paragraph appeared: “With its extent of coastline and abundance of fish, the colony of New Zealand ought to become a large fishing centre in the Southern Pacific, and rear a hardy seafaring population, which would be invaluable in the time of war.” The fishermen of Britain had, during the war, said Mr Ayson, rendered services of the greatest value to the Empire, and the New Zealand Government in assisting and encouraging more of our population to go in tor fishing would not only assist in building up the fishing industry find provide more food for the people, but would at the same time help in building up a population which would prove invaluable in the defence of these shores in time to" come. Lord Kitchener came to New Zealand a few years ago to organise the land forces; and Lord Jellicoc would soon be here to advise, he understood about the defences of the Dominion and organise the sea forces, and it was very probable indeed that, iho question of increasing the fishing population would then be gone into.