H.—44a,

The second Ministerial notice, dated the same day (15th April, 1937), directed in similar terms that all persons who were lawfully engaged in the taking of fish for sale on that date were not required to be licensed under the Act until the Ist December, 1938, but in respect of all others wishing to enter the trade and so operate on or after the 15th April, 1937, a license must be first obtained. After a close investigation of all problems connected with production and marketing and in accordance with our findings as set out elsewhere, we are of opinion that the relative provisions of this latter notice should now be reconsidered in the light of existing conditions. With reference to the licensing of fishing-vessels as is now required under the Fisheries Act, 1908 the weight of evidence submitted by fishermen and others connected with the industry was distinctly m favour of some increase in the scale of license fees now applicable to these vessels, and, in addition, it was clear that many were in favour of each fisherman being personally licensed. At present the Fisheries Act, 1908 (not regulations made thereunder), stipulates that all fishing-vessels must be licensed, and that licenses shall be issued (there is no discretionary power of refusal) upon the payment of the fee of ss. m the case of a vessel under 5 tons register and 10s. if of 5 tons register and upwards Fishermen are not required to be licensed under the Act. Ihe representations submitted m connection with a suggested increase in existing fees under the Act and the provision of licensing fees for fishermen themselves may be summarized as follows : (1) The industry itself recognizes that the revenue derived by the Marine Department from the existing scale of fees is so low in proportion to the service, inspection, and supervision required that the fees should be increased. In this way sufficient revenue for these requirements to be fulfilled to the extent desired would be provided. (2) The necessity for complete or modified surveys of certain fishing-grounds to be made, and the provision of revenue (at least in part) from the industry itself to meet the cost of Sl j Ch surveys Beein B ttat these would serve tlle general benefit of all associated interests. (3) The discouragement which the increase in license fees would give to part-time fishermen, who are looked upon as a menace to the professional fishermen, in that the former are usually engaged in other work for the greater part of the year and only turn their attention to fishing in the flush of the fishing season on the various grounds. (4) The emphatic protests made against the incursion into the industry of week-end fishermen, who take fish for sale in competition with professional fishermen and who in certain localities where the grounds are confined occupy the vantage points for commercial fishing. Recommendations. New Zealand. 1. That the Fisheries Act, 1908, be amended to provide— (а) For the fixing of license fees for fishing-vessels and fishermen by regulation ; that the annual fees for the licensing of fishing-vessels and fishermen respectively be' fixed at a minimum of 40s. and ss. each ; and, further, that the fees for fishing-vessels increase in proportion to their size up to a maximum of £10 for the larger steam trawlers (б) To give the Marine Department the right to refuse the issue of fishing licenses. With regard to part-time fishermen, the onus should be on the applicant to prove that he is dependent upon fishing for at least 50 per cent, of his livelihood. 1 (c) For the abolition of the issue of half-yearly licenses. 2. That the provisions of the notice issued under the hand of the Minister of Industries and Commerce dated the 15th April, 1937, and relating to the licensing of certain industries under Part 111 of the Industrial Efficiency Act, 1936, in this case the export of fish (whether fresh or preserved) continue m force. 3. That the provisions of the notice issued under the hand of the Minister of Industries and Commerce dated the 15th April, 1937, and relating to the licensing of certain industries under Part 111 of the Industrial Efficiency Act, .1936 (in this case the taking of fish for purposes of sale), be reconsidered m the light of existing conditions. (4) That, the Ministerial notice referred to in recommendation No. 3 or any amendment thereto continue in force only until it is superseded by the amendments to the Fisheries Act, 1908 the Ministerial notice then to be revoked, thus leaving the Marine Department as the sole licensing authority, and obviating any dual licensing and dual collection of fees which would otherwise arise. EARNINGS OF FISHERMEN. It has been thought preferable to discuss earnings of fishermen under one heading rather than m the particular provincial group to which they belong. While it was impossible to ascertain what the earnings actually were in many cases, a sufficiently representative number of men at practically all ports were able to make available to the Committee figures of fish landed, gross earnings and operating-expenses. Appendix O shows the whole position in detail, and the summary attached thereto reveals that the 161 fishermen referred to (no steam-trawler employees included) earned an average of £194 (£3 14s. 7d. per week) over the most recent twelve months of their operations their gross receipts being £55,241 (2-38 d. per pound), their operating-expenses £23,960 (1 -03d per pound) and their net returns £31,281 (l-35d. per pound). If there is added to the above total of 161 men another 24 from which no particulars except net earnings were procurable, we find that 185 men earned £36,843 net or £199 per annum or £3 16s. 6d. per week each. These 185 men were representative

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