PROTECTING BUSH AND BIRDS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 45, 17 November 1936, Page 8

PROTECTING BUSH AND BIRDS

Minister Takes Action INSTRUCTION TO PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES By Telegraph—Press Association. Invercargill, November 16. Steps have been taken by the Minister of Public Works, Hon. R. Semple, to ensure that there will be no needless destruction of native bush and native bird life and fish by workmen employed by bis department. “The possibility of indiscriminate shooting, and illegal taking of fish and the danger of wanton destruction of native bush in the vicinity of public works camps have been brought to my notice by acclimatisation societies and other organisations in different parts of New Zealand,” said the Minister in a statement made to the "Southland Times.” “I have caused instructions to be issued to all employees of my department that it must be their endeavour to preserve our national assets of this nature. Contravention of these instructions in the form of wilful or needless destruction will result in the dismissal of the offending workmen. It is my desire to co-operate to the fullest possible extent with acclimatisation societies in their very commendable endeavour to preserve our native bush and bird life. “Personally,” concluded the Minister, “I regard such things as a heritage to be held in trust for future generations, and anything that I can do to protect them will certainly be done. Notices are being posted on all public works jobs bringing the matter prominently to the attention of all employees.”