Deerstalkers’ view on extermination

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33463, 19 February 1974, Page 12

Deerstalkers’ view on extermination

Deerstalkers in Canterbury have told the member of Parliament for Rangiora (Mr T. K. Burke) that they do not want to see red deer exterminated.

Mr Burke who is a member of the three-man Government Caucus committee studying the subject of noxious animals in New Zealand, met representatives of the Canterbury branch of the Deer Stalkers’ Association last week-end. The stalkers told Mr Burke they wanted to see the extermination policy replaced by one which would allow for the commercial and recreational exploitation of red deer. They said they wanted to be able to go into the high country searching for trophies without having commercial helicopters “buzzing” them. Mr Burke met the deerstalkers as part of a comprehensive study of noxious animals called for by the Minister of Forests (Mr Moyle). Mr Burke and the members for Awarua (Mr A. W. Begg) and the Member for Wairarapa (Mr J. H. Williams) comprise the committee. They began their studies last year and ha\e already had talks with many groups interested in deer and other wild animals. They have made extensive surveys of the rugged Southland national parks on foot and talked to game recovery people — both legal and illegal operators. One of their first recommendations, which has since been implemented, was the imposition of a withholding tax of 25c per lb or the sale of deer meat. Mr Burke said this measure had been introduced to prevent operators imm getting

off completely from paying tax on income. Until the measure was introduced, some operators were selling meat under all kinds or fictitious names and paying no tax. Most of the committee’s work has been in ne South Island, where the noxious animals do the most, damage by wav of erosion. The committee has discussed the problem with high country farmers who have problems with shooters who, in turn, have problems with access to the deer haunts.

Mr Burke said the committee had just about comple‘ed its field work and would soon be examining submissions from parties interested in the subject. He said the committee hoped to be able to present a report to Mr Moyle by the middle of the year.