Canada Goose Drive

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29897, 10 August 1962, Page 3

Canada Goose Drive

Sir.—lt is amazing how quickly “our hunters” act and how shrewdly they prevented Mr Allan's words being printed through your paper. We, the public, are interested in -what -Mr Allan. Southbridge, has to say. Until he is heard, no drive should take place. Do we wait for New Jerusalem to make all things new, while we allow hunters to hold another cruel drive on Saturday?—Yours, etc . L.S. August 9. 1902

Sir, —Does anyone seriously believe, after ’reading the report this morning, that the primary purpose in holding these goose drives is to reduce the number of birds, rather than to provide a day of mass slaughter for the, pot-huntens? It has been made clear enough that control can be exercised to any degree desired at banding time and in humane fashion. The collection of eggs is not a practicable proposition. Is it not significant, too, that much more fuss about damage by the geese is being made by the acclimatisation society and its friends than by the farmers affected, most of whom are known to me? Feeling over this matter is very strong and the decision to hold another drive is bound to bring contempt for the society and the game laws. That any acclimatisation society should call this sort of conduct sport is amazing.—Yours, .etc., HONKER. August 9. 1962.

Sir,—The goose drive last Saturday was obviously unsuccessful and badly organised. According to a state-, meat In your newspaper on Wednesday, the Internal Affairs Department is now prepared to recognise that this form of control is ineffective; but not so the acclimatisation society, which is going to try again. How much of the society’s money was wasted last Saturday? Will the society state the total sum expended, recoveries from those shooters present, the number of geese shot, and just who was responsible for the organisation? It would appear that 500 shooters. Eve aeroplanes, and various boats in a day killed only about 50 geese Surely this cannot be correct. ' All who contribute to the funds of the society are entitled to an explanation Yours, etc.. LICENCE HOLDER. August 9. 1962

Sir.—lt makes sad reading that another goose drive is to take place on Saturday If these ruthless gun-men have not a guilty conscience, why the hurry? I know ever so many farmers who own lake land and I have never heard one complain about the geese. If it came to a legal point, has the acclimatisation society the right to feed game on anyone's land and then forbid them to say whether they wish them shot? Where they do annoy anyone. they should be allowed to shoot them. I hope a thick fo.g or heavy rain will set in cm Saturday and frustrate the killers. If luck is not with the birds, then this day should be called Red Saturday.—Yours, etc., MORE AND MORE. August 9, 1962