NO SHORT SEASON

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 250, 21 July 1942, Page 3

NO SHORT SEASON

Game Shooting Petition

Unsuccessful

There will be no short shooting season for Native game as ‘sought by apetition signed by 3500. sportsmen of the Wellington district and the South Island. The Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, has advised Mr. J. C. Wiflin, secretary, Wellington Accliniitization Society, to this effect. The War Cabinet previously decided that in view of the impressment of shotguns and ammunition, there would be no shooting season this year. Following an address by the General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces, Lieutenant-General JE. Puttick, D. 5.0., in which reference was made to an improvement in New Zealand’s position, it was decided that a petition for a short season be presented. Mr. Fraser, in reply, stated that the IVar Cabinet had decided that it must adhere to its previous decision. The General Officer Commanding the New Zealand Forces considered that there should be no slackening whatever of the efforts to provide weapons of any nature fcr the Home Guard. Regarding shot-gun ammuntion, every round, including any in possession of individuals, should be njade available for defence. I t was wanted both for practice and for fighting purposes. Provision of shot-guns would release Army weapons now being used by men whose duties could be quite efficiently carried out if their present weapons were replaced by sliot-guns. _ . The suggestion that TV ar Cabinets action was dictated by Hamilton representations was incorrect. The taking of shotguns and other firearms was under the consideration. o£ the Army authorities some weeks before the Hamilton meeting, but pressure of more important business made it impossible to deal with the matter at the time. Mr. Fraser said that a person prominent in acclimatization matters informed him that owing to the mild season game birds were now preparing for nestin„ and fiom that viewpoint alone ]t inadvisable to arrange for a short open season at this stage. Mr. Wiflin, replying to Hr. Fraser on behalf of the council of the Wellington Acclimatization Society, stated that o reat dissatisfaction was expressed at the council meeting at the decision of the War Cabinet. It was fully expected after hearing the broadcast of the G.0.C., saying the position had improved, that tne request would have been granted. As already stated, no sportsmen required ammunition from the Government, but according to a Botorua Press report of July 3 the Minister of Internal Affairs advised the Rotorua Gun Club to maintain local shoots of clay birds as long as ammunition supplies permitted. • The Prime Ministers adviser m acclimatization matters should know that the general nesting season _ was from October to February; the society did not pair up its pheasants at the game farm for breeding till September This was placed on record so that, if conditions allowed, the shooting season next year would not be interfered with.