LICENSE FEE FOR SHOOTING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21726, 7 March 1936, Page 9

LICENSE FEE FOR SHOOTING

♦ • INCREASE IN AUCKLAND DISTRICT CONSERVING GROUND GAME AND WATER FOWL (press association telegram.) WELLINGTON, March 6. Commenting on a notice in the Gazette that the license fee for killing imported and native game in the Auckland Acclimatisation District had been increased from £1 to £1 ss, the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) expressed the opinion that ground game and water fowl were becoming scarcer every year, with the possibility of being reduced to a level that had not existed before. With the object of preserving game, and consequently sport for the future, he considered if only fitting that those who desired to take part in the sport should pay for it. The Auckland Acclimatisation Society recently made a request that the license fee should be raised to £1 ss, with the undertaking that the extra 5s would be spent on rearing and liberating an increased number of duck and ground game, and the Minister agreed to the increase in place of a close season and the provision. of a double fee during the following season. “This change was made in the Auckland district only,” stated the Minister. “There is more unanimity among sportsmen in the Auckland district than in any other place. There is a good opportunity there of trying the new license fee to see if it will result in an increase of game.” The Minister : said he anticipated criticism, but the alternative to the increased fee was for the Government to take over the management of shooting and fishing rights from acclimatisation societies and conduct both, as the Government was doing in the' Rotorua district. He added that he hoped to dismiss the matter with all, organisations interested, and a national policy would be formulated which woulcl eo.» fhs sport* '