Special Committee Fisheries Bill, 1938 debate -
Tuesday, 13 Jun 1939

SECTION 14.

The McGillycuddy

I move amendment No. 8:—

Before Section 14, to insert a new section as follows:—

(1) The Minister shall, not later than one year after the passing of this Act, establish by order an advisory council for the purpose of giving advice and assistance to the Minister in connection with any matter in relation to the making of regulations under, or otherwisecarrying into execution, the provisions of this Act, the amendment thereof or any other matter affecting the propagation or preservation of fish or any other matter affecting the fishery industry.

(2) The said advisory council shall consist of such persons (being persons having experience or special knowledge in relation to the matters on which the council may give advice or assistance to the Minister) as the Minister shall from time to time nominate to be members thereof.

(3) Each member of the said council shall, unless he previously dies or resigns, retain his membership for two years only from the date of his nomination, but shall be eligible for renomination.

(4) The said council shall meet whenever summoned by the Minister and also on such occasions as the council may from time to time determine.

When the Fishery Commission reported they proposed a national council which would have some power over the Minister. This was not put into the Bill because it was thought undesirable. My proposal now is a more humble one. It is somewhat on the principle of the council in connection with live stock and game preservation. If the Minister chooses the right kind of people on a council of this kind it would do much to keep the Minister and the Fisheries branch of his Department in touch with realities. My experience is that realities fade very quickly when you get away from actualities. You are supposed to get the right perspective but in the perspective you very often lose the details. Now, in the case of the Fisheries Bill where you have got 23 different districts there are tremendous variations in these different districts. Correspondence we all know leads to delay. Numbers of resolutions are pigeonholed. I am not suggesting any special powers for the council but I think a council or advisory council of the kind I am suggesting would be an advantage. However, since putting down this amendment I gather that the Minister has got power already under the Agricultural Act which refers also to fisheries, to set up a council like the one I am suggesting. If this council is to be set up soon I do not want to press the matter, but I would point out to the Minister that it is very important.

Dr. Ryan

Under a section of the Act of 1931 the Minister has power to set up a council. He has power to set up an advisory council to advise him on any particular matter in connection with any particular activities of his Department. I think it would be useful to have such a council of fisheries. I would like, however, to think a bit more about it, that is, as to whether it should be one or two councils, because there is a distinction between inland fisheries and sea fisheries. Those who take an interest in inland fisheries have very little interest in sea fisheries, and those who take an interest in sea fisheries have very little interest in inland fisheries. I would like, therefore, to have time to consider whether we should have one or two councils. There are various interests to be consulted. We should naturally consult any organised bodies, at any rate, and get suggestions from them as to what would be useful in certain matters. What we usually do in the Agricultural Council is to ask various districts to submit a number of names. They submit three or four names, out of which the Minister selects one or two. I do agree with the Senator that we should have a consultative council, and I think that could be set up as soon as this Bill comes into operation.

The McGillycuddy

I hope the Minister will keep them separate, because the inland fisheries are such a big problem that they should have a council of their own. Now, with the Tourist Bill coming along the inland fisheries are one of our very big assets.

Dr. Ryan

We may not require one in the case of sea fisheries ; we have the Sea Fisheries Association.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Mr. O’Callaghan

On Section 14, can the Minister do anything to give the people I refer to votes in connection with the election of conservators ?

Dr. Ryan

As the section is drafted, the people to whom the Senator refers would not have the right to vote, because they are not paying the rate. They must pay the rate in the first instance.

Sections 14 and 15 agreed to.