Mr. A. W. NEILL (Comox-Alberni):

I should like to direct a question to the Acting Minister of Fisheries (Mr. Duranleau). We have just been advised that the legislature of British Columbia unanimously adopted a

Trawler Licences

resolution emphatically opposing P.C. 206, passed on February 3, relative to the landing of salmon on wharves within twenty-four hours after being caught. In view of that decision by the province I should like to ask the minister if he will not consider cancelling or withdrawing that order in council.

Hon. ALFRED DURANLEAU (Acting Minister of Fisheries):

My hon. friend was kind enough to give me notice this forenoon of the question he intended to put. My answer is that we will get official confirmation of the decision of the legislature of British Columbia, and then the matter will be very seriously considered.

Mr. F. G. SANDERSON (South Perth):

I should like to ask the Minister of Finance (Mr. Rhodes) whether the recently appointed tariff board is functioning and, if not, when it will start to function as a board.

Hon. E. N. RHODES (Minister of Finance):

The board is making arrangements to begin its operations immediately. There is no delay at the moment, because eases are being considered in a preliminary way preparatory to the public hearings.

Mr. SANDERSON:

Would the minister say where their offices are?

Mr. RHODES:

In the national research building.

Hon. ALFRED DURANLEAU (Acting Minister of Fisheries):

With respect to the licensing of steam trawlers, Mr. Speaker, it may be of interest to recall the conditions under which steam trawling was begun in this country. Some years ago those who were engaged in the marketing of fish found that steadiness of supply was essential in order to increase the demand, and at that time there was no assurance of such steadiness of supply, particularly in the winter season. Hence in 1910 steam trawling was initiated with one vessel. With the development of the demand for fresh fish the number was increased to two in 1912 and in the following year to five.

During the war the demand grew rapidly, and probably the number of trawlers would have been increased more rapidly than it was had they been available. The largest number operated in the war period was eight in 1918. In 1926 the number had increased to eleven, and since then it has declined.

Following consideration of the majority and minority reports of the Atlantic Fisheries Commission of 1927-28, legislation for the better control of trawlers was adopted in 1929. The main provisions of this legislation were:

(a) All trawlers must be licensed.

(b) All trawlers should be registered in Canada and owned by Canadian companies or persons.

(c) That trawler fishing should not be allowed within twelve miles of the shore.

(d) That the minister may determine the number of trawlers to be licensed.

(e) That regulations might be made by order in council prescribing the evidence to be submitted with applications for licences fixing the conditions under which licences should be issued and making any other provisions respecting licences.

By order in council of October 30, 1929, regulations were adopted under the authority of the new legislation. These regulations provided for the licensing of trawlers and for a fee of one cent per pound on all cod, haddock and halibut that were landed by foreign built trawlers and two-thirds of a cent a pound on all such fish that were landed by Canadian built trawlers, excepting on fish landed during the months of January, February and March each year, when no fee would be charged.

One of the trawler operating companies failed to pay the licence fee, and action was taken in the exchequer court to compel payment. This resulted in a decision of that court of the 9th of March, 1931, that the regulations w'ere ultra vires. After further consideration of the matter new regulations were adopted by order in council of August 14, 1931. These provided for a lioence fee of S500 for each trawler and that the applicant must furnish the minister with evidence that would satisfy him that the applicant could not obtain an adequate supply of suitable fish to enable him- properly to conduct and develop his business from the hook and line fishermen, and that the granting of the licence would not adversely affect the extent to which fish would be purchased from the hook and line fishermen.

Following the submission of applications, which were accompanied by the necessary evidence supported by declarations, licences for six trawlers were granted for the fiscal year 1932-33. Five of these were for trawlers operated by the Maritime-National company and one by the Leonard fisheries.

Fishermen's organizations and boards of trade have strongly urged that no trawlers be

Trawler Licences

licensed for the present fiscal year. On the other hand, the Halifax board of trade and the mayor of Halifax have urged very strongly the renewal of all the existing licences. Applications for renewal of the five licences held by the Maritime-National company have been made, and the Leonard Fisheries has intimated that it intends to apply for a renewal of its licence.

At this point it may be interesting to note that the decline in the trawler catch in recent years has kept pace with the decline in the hook and line catch. In Nova Scotia alone the hook and line catch of the kinds of fish landed by trawlers was 150,200,977 pounds. The trawler catch that year was 31,365,423 pounds. Last year the Nova Scotia catch of these fish by the hook and line fishermen was 108,645,871 pounds, while the catch by the steam trawlers was 22,956,729 pounds, or a decrease of practically 27 per cent in each case.

It is also contended that the trawler operators are amongst the largest purchasers of fish from the hook and line fishermen, and the former maintain -that it is only possible for them to continue to make such large purchases from the hook and line fishermen because of having the trawlers so that they can keep continuously in the market. It is also contended that the main landings by the trawlers are during the six winter months when hook and line fishing is reduced to a minimum, and during a portion of which no licence fee was charged on the trawler landings under the previous regulations.

It also may be of value to note that all dtther countries are allowing trawlers to operate. Out of European ports about 5,000 of these vessels are operating yearly. Out of United States ports there are usually over 300. These latter vessels as well as a large number from France and sometimes from other European countries, fish on the Banks adjacent to our coasts, so that even if our trawlers were withdrawn it would decrease the amount of trawling on these Banks by a very small proportion only.

After consideration of all the facts it is thought that if the Maritime-National had three trawlers instead of five operating they could reasonably assure the steadiness of supply as well as the proportion of haddock needed. Hence it has been decided that for the present year that company will be allowed three trawlers and the Leonard Fisheries one, as before. There are no other applicants. This will involve a reduction in number of 33 J per cent. This reduction will be put

[Mr. Duranleau.J

into effect from the first of May, thus giving one month to the company to enable it to fill certain contracts into which it has entered.

Mr. J. S. WOODSWORTH (Winnipeg North Centre):

According to press dispatches a Japanese warship is to visit Vancouver harbour to-morrow. In view of the trouble in the orient and the withdrawal of Japan from the League of Nations, may I ask what the attitude of the government will be?

Right Hon. R. B. BENNETT (Prime Minister) :

I was not aware that the question

was to be asked, and I have nothing to say because I have received no correspondence with respect to the matter. If the ship comes into the harbour she is entitled to anchor, and I assume she will.

Mr. WOODSWORTH:

Is the government extending entertainment to this visiting warship?

Mr. BENNETT:

I doubt not that the

citizens of Vancouver will extend to them the hospitality for which that city is proverbial.