New Zealand Fisheries.

There is another industry which to my mind is—I would almost venture to say—the supreme industry of New Zealand. I allude to the fisheries. Gentlemen, I have ascertained from evidence which it is impossible to doubt, that there is no country in the world where fish are more abundant than on the coasts of New Zealand, and yet it is sad to say that a certain amount of the fish consumed in the principal towns is not a source of wealth to the colony. For instance, in 1883, notwithstanding the vast wealth that might be derived from our fisheries in New Zealand, not less than £50,000 worth was imported from abroad. Speaking to a gentleman the other day who has been amongst the Labrador fisheries, which are amongst the most famous in the world, he told me that the fish around the coasts of New Zealand were far more plentiful than the fish of Labrador, and that we had the advantage of being able to fish here two days for every one on which it is possible to fish on the stormy shores of Labrador. The white fish, the crayfish, and the oysters of New Zealand will become a source of immense wealth in my opinion. (Laughter.) What we require is the means of preserving them whether by salting or tinning, and I am of opinion that that is the industry for which the Government should give you a large amount of support in the shape of bonuses—for the production of a very considerable quantity. (Applause.) These industries in their initial condition need encouragement of this kind, for you require a very great deal of capital before you can be sure of a market. Whilst they are growing you may find your work comparatively simple, but you may find it difficult to dispose of the produce of your labour. Once a market has been established there is no question that the natural circumstances of the colony are such that the industry would not only become settled, but of enormous value. I wish to see around the coasts of the islands fishing villages established, and vessels connected with them for carrying on ocean fishing. You will have growing up in connection with these fishing villages a maritime population of the most essential service to the future of the colony. You will have large industries like shipbuilding, the making of cordage and rope with which I need hardly tell you you have already met with great success in this colony. (A voice: "What about oysters?") I observe, Sir, that this subject seems to be a source of amusement to some of my hearers. It may be that you know enough on the subject, and that there is therefore no necessity for considering what is desirable with the view of supplying means for the exercise of enterprise and employment of the population or it may be that I am not sufficiently capable of expressing myself clearly, yet I cannot help saying that, when we look at figures in connection with the export value of fish from the various ports of the world, we find that they represent a value of no less an annual sum than sixteen millions sterling. The fisheries of Great Britain alone are worth five millions sterling a year. You will further see the importance of this subject when I mention to you that this colony possesses the most prolific fisheries in the world, and you will admit that the subject to which we should devote our earnest consideration is how we can moat conveniently make this vast source of wealth available. We have so much wealth in the sea ready to be taken out if we only wish to do so. Surely, then, it is to our interest to find means to gather it.