RAVAGES OF DEER

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 171, 15 April 1933, Page 12

RAVAGES OF DEER

Need for Destruction GOVERNMENT POLICY Defended by Minister The Government’s policy of allowing stalkers a practically free hand in exterminating deer throughout New Zealand, was defended by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hou. J. A. Young, in replying to recent criticism on the point in the course of an interview yesterday. The Minister emphasised that deer had become a real pest in various parts of the country, and the policy of encouraging .stalkers to assist in wiping them out* as far as possible, was one of necessity. A serious view was taken of the depredations of deer not only on the native forest undergrowth, but also on grass pastures and other crops in both the North and South Islands. Settlers considered the deer a real, menace, and in some instances it was shown that the productivity of land was being seriously affected through the ravages of the deer. Benefits After Extermination. “In one instance,” Mr. Young said, “a holder whose property has been covered by deer destruction parties is now carrying 2000 more sheep. Another small station-holder has an additional 1000 sheep, representing an increase in stock carrying capacity of 33 1-3 per cent.,-and has more feed than before. These cases are mentioned to show the extent to which depredations by deer may extend if not checked, and the evidence as to the numbers of skins which are being submitted to the Internal Affairs Department for payment of bonus is proof of the fact that the deer are obtainable and that inroads are being made on their numbers. “I should like to make it clear that while protection is removed from deer, it is necessary for hunters to obtain the consent of the owner or controlling authority of land over which it is proposed to carry out operations. “For several years the Department of Internal Affairs paid a bonus on deer destroyed in the ’ South Island, and from 1923 to 1932, the bonus was paid en over 112,000 deer. This, however, was not meeting the position, and it was decided to endeavour to find a market for deer skins. Private enterprise had sold some skins overseas, but there had never been a guaranteed supply. It is sufficient to say that about 14,000 skins have been disposed of to date by the Department of Internal Affairs and further inquiries are being received for supplies. These skins have been secured partly from the operations of departmental parties and commercial hunters. Bonus on Skins. “In view of the success in the marketing of deer skins, the tail bonus has been replaced by one on skins. If a commercial hunter is unable to dispose of the skins, the Department of Internal Affairs is prepared to take over the ' skins, provided they are in good condition, and pay the hunter a bonus. There is ample evidence that men who would be otherwise unemployed are godng out after the deer, and it would be unreasonable to suggest that these .men should, to give stalkers a season tinder license, be thrown into the ranks of the unemployed. “Only yesterday, I was advised that one man had brought in 57 skins to the Wellington depot, and another man is bringing in 50. Others are known to be out in the back country in the Wellington district and are getting good results. “I am pleased to say that numbers of the deer skins are being manufactured into leather in New Zealand. It will thus be seen that the Government policy of, encouraging the saving of deer skins is not only giving employment to commercial hunters and persons en- . gaged in industry, but is also turning to useful purposes a commodity which, in the past, has been largely wasted."