THE ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY AND THE PROTECTION OF SEABIRDS.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10883, 6 February 1901, Page 4

THE ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY AND THE PROTECTION OF SEABIRDS.

TO THE EPITOR OF THE TRESS. Sir,—ln the report of the Society's last meeting (your issue of 31st ulto.) it is stated the Council decided to request the Government to allow the destruction of seabirds found more than two miles inland. Let us hope the matter has been misreported, and that such was not the resolution come to. It would be interesting to know in what way, and to what extent, these birds injure trout, at any stage. Personally, it is news to mc. Anyhow, it is a strange anomaly for the Society to now advocate the destruction of seabiras whilst so little has been done by i it in the way of killing shags in the river gorges—Selwvn and others. It is only quite lately that the most necessary Act was passed protecting seabirds, and to now permit their destruction beyond a two mile radius would a.most entirely nullify the good effect (already apparent) of the J Act. Has the Council considered that the suggestion now made would mean that the abominable practice of shooting gulls on estuaries and in harbours could be resumed with impunity? The lurmers' enemy has practically ceased to be a seabird, and it is only right and proper that permits should be granted to llockmasters tor destruction of birds taking up residence in land, and doing injury to sheep, etc., but a two mile limit, indiscriminately, is ridiculous. Suuh important questions should have most careful consideration before resolutions, such as is reported, are passed. It is not necessary to refer here to the almost essential presence of gulls in harboius and estuaries, and every encouragement should bs given for these birds to couie up nearer the city, and thus enhance the Hood werk done so thoroughly by them in the Htathcote river, and neighbourhood ot the tanneries, etc. It would be a positive scandal to permit recurrence ot the disgraceful scenes which took place on the estuary here before the Act was passed protecting seabirds.—x ours, etC "' MARCH BROWN. THE DOMESTIC AND POLITICAL INFLUENCE OF OUK LATE QUEEN. TO THE jnjlTOR OF THE PRESS. Sir _\oiv that our beloved and honoured Queen has be.n la;d to rest amid the mourning cl millions of her subjects, and the rejrrets of all civilised nations, I would like fo tiive expression to some thoughts sugcssted by your able articles referring to her •file and influence, wdiicii appeared on January 24 th. Ihere is no dcubt that the domestic virtues of the Queen-greatly endeared her to her subjects. Her love ox home, her devoiion to her husband and children brought her very near to our heaxts, ur-oi we owe >uer more tnan we can ever estimate for the lv:gh moral tone she ever maintained in her Court. This alone would entitle her to our gratitude and love, but there is anoUiar aspect of her influence that 1 am more enxious to draw attention to at present, and that is .her political influence. . It has' been stated again and again that the Queen took the most intense, painstaking and active interest in ail political matters relating not enjy to her vast dominions, but, to oilier nations as well, that, in short, no woman in all lier great empire lived and moved in a more intensely political atrnospi- ere vet no one will venture to assert that it ever," in the very slightest decree, detracted from her woinuniy qualities, or matia her a less loving wie, devoted mother, or impaired her ability to discharge the domestic relations and obligations of her lite. Again, as you point out in your article, out of Jutland's four Queens, three of them ihave .had most brilliant reigns. England under them progressed in everything that >roes to make a, great nation. Sue has prospered in every -way under the rule of women, the two long reigns of Elizabeth and Victoria prove this 'beyond all question. >iow, Sir tira bsing so, can there be a stronger areumeit in favour of the removal of all civil and political disabilities from women/ I maintain that our Quesn has proved beyond all doubt that the active, direct, personal, j participation of woman in the government and pontics of iier country has a most benign and progressive intiuence, tnat it makes for righteousness, which, after all, is what exalteth a nation. To those men who are so dreadfully afraid that if we were possessed of equal civil and political rights with themselves we should at once lose all the womanly qualities which adorn us, no more complete answer can be oiven than our late Queen has given. She Sas proved that the most womanly woman can actively and constantly take part in the Government and politics of her country and still retain in tohsrir most lustrous perfection all the womanly graces and qualities which are our chiefest possession. And the Queens of England have proved the ability of woman to govern. They were not selected to fill the throne 'because of some special aptitude they :nossesse«d as rulers or governors. John Stuart Mill pays a ihigih tribute to women's ability in this direction, in the words quoted in your article from his "Subjection of Women," to which I would) draw special attention: " If a Hindoo principality is strongly, vigilantly, and economically governed, if order is preserved without oppression, if cultivation is extended and the people prosperous, in three casee out of four that principality is governed by a woman." Now, Sir, in view of these facts, the magnificent progression of England under women, the progressive and benign influence exercised by women rulers in India, and abevve all tne proved possibility of women exercising these gifts without loss of domestic virtues or womanly traces, don't you think that one of the most fitting tributes to tiie memory of her who has ruled us so long and well" would b6' the passing of the 8.11 for the removal of all civil and political disabilities from the women of this colony by our representatives in their next session oi Parliament. I am sure that if the entrance of women into civil and, political life has the effect you describe, of making men '-'•willing to manifest towards woman a selflestraint and chivalry, a readiness to be tender and forbearing," great good would immediately be done, and a great impetus given to" all humane progressive and moral measures. —I am, etc., A WOMAN. St. Albans, February 4th, 1901.