“WAITING FOR THE BLOW"

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23004, 26 April 1940, Page 16

“WAITING FOR THE BLOW"

* SPORTSMEN AND MINISTER ACCLIMATISATION POSITION DISTRUST OF GOVERNMENT CONTROL “Why should we carry on waiting for the blow to fall?” asked Mr E. L. Wyles at the meeting of the council of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society on Wedensday evening in discussing a report from the chairman (Dr. D. McK. Dickson) on an interview with the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) concerning the Minister’s announced purpose, of having the functions of acclimatisation societies taken over by a Government department. The society should do something on its own behalf, said Mr Wyles. It might even come to the conclusion that it was advisable to inform the Minister, that it proposed to terminate its activities. Mr C. H. Lawrence. said that many recommendations of the council to the department had been ignored. It was disheartening to hear of the Minister’s intention to take over the functions of fhp “How can they , control a game season from a chair in Wellington?” asked Mr, Lawrence. “I hope sportsmen will rise in a body and make united representations to the Minister. W6 know what sort of service we shall receive from people, however well intentioned, who do not understand these matter’s.” Mr Lawrence moved: “That, as the present position of the societies in relation to the Hon. W. E. Parry and the Department of Internal Affairs is enr tirely unsatisfactory, the South Island Council of Acclimatisation Societies be asked to call an early meeting of delegates, and that this view be forcibly represented to the Minister, and failing satisfaction, then to a higher quarter.” The motion was seconded by Mr E. ' L. Wyles.- ; Mr R. B. Soanes said he was not sure whether Mr Parry could do what he planned without new legislation. But if the societies were not. active that legislation would be passed before they were aware of it. The societies had built up an organisation to help shooters and anglers, and they should fight for it if it were at all possible to do so. Stating Societies’ Case "Mr Parry has stated his case. We should, state ours,” Mr Soanes- added. “If the work now done by the societies Is run as a Government department it will not be a success. .Mr Parry may be playing with something ;iitside his scope.” - “It will take a lot of force on the oart of the societies to scotch this move.” said Professor ?E. Percival. It las to be remembered that, the departnent has an acclimatisation district, thinks it manages it well.” ; Mr Wyles asked whether the society ,vas going to' wait until „it suited the Minister. Under present conditions it •/as impossible to formulate any. longange plan. Through; their central /ody the societies should ask the Mmster point blank when' he was going •o put his plan into action. . “I believe he has been asked ..several times, but has always hedged, said Mr A. G. Familton. “The South Island Council should call a. conference;to discuss the dire necessity, of rnakmg. representations to the - Minister, • and gain for the body of sportsmen a clearcut answer. If the department does take over control it will nave the whole body-of sportsmen’rising in protest. , The .Minister’s claim was that the societies had not enough money tp do the work properly, said Dr. Dickson. The Minister had said that the revenue from licence fees was inadequate to meet the position. “Recommendations Ignored” “Our recommendations are constantly ignored,” said Mr W. J. MecGibbon. “The Minister overrides them in every direction. See what he says about licence revenue. If the department takes over sportsmen will find that licence fees will increase considerably. Members referred to the high licence fees charged in the Taupo district, where the department had control. “The Minister seems to be quite_honest in his convictions,” said Mr G. H. Stonyer, “but he just doesn t seem to k Mr^Wyles asked if the Minister had indicated where, as the funds of the societies were considered insufficient, the money required for the work was to come from. t The chairman: Just the taxpayer Mr Wyles; It is nice to know that the . taxpayer will pay for our fishing- and shooting. ■ ■ . , The motion was then carried. . , On the motion of Df. Dickson, it was decided to'write to the Minister asking for detailed reasons why the societies recommendations had been turned H. Harris said that the council of the society and the secretary had been blamed for the shortnessof the - season. He was glad the Munster had made it clear that the department was responsible. ,