THE DEER MENACE

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 18, 21 July 1926, Page 7

THE DEER MENACE

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Mr. L. Tripp, president of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, is evidently desirous of putting the cost of reducing or exterminating the deer on to other shoulders thau his society's, hence his plea in your issue of 19th July, where he argues the Government, otherwise the taxpayer, should bear some of the brunt. Mr. Tripp, however, forgets to state, when arguing that 'the first deer were introduced by the Government, that acclimatisation societies ■■ have been the active agents in breeding and spreading the deer, and that they have been receiving, the revenue from deer licenses. Mr. Tripp s argument leads one to suppose he wishes these societies to continue receiving the revenue, while the taxpayer foots the extermination bill. The Minister of Internal Affairs is to be congratulated on the .steps he threatens to take, and public opinion will certainly endorse his action. The pity is it is only so far threatened ! action, not real action. Moose and wapiti are to be allowed to carry on. until they, too, are a menace, and the cost of wiping them out very heavy. In the meanwhile Mr. Tripp, evidently bent on carrying his hobby out to the death, suggests introducing beaver to help destroy our forest and bring revenue to acclimatisation societies for royalty on skins. Surely the menace of foot and mouth disease alone, apart from the death of our forests and damage to agricultural pursuits, is quite sufficient to warrant the . drastic curtailment of all wild animals. If we aye unfortunate enough to get this terrible disease, and it attains a foothold, it is to be presumed the export of all wool, hides, meat, etc.; in fact, all our primary products, will be banned, which would mean perhaps our bankruptcy. The extermination of all wild animals would be one of the steps that would have to be taken to combat foot and mouth disease, as they carry the malady and cannot be inspected. Why not take tinte by the forelock and put our house in order?—l am, etc., NEW ZEALAND FIKST. 20th July.