"ERRATIC ATTITUDE"

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 125, 30 May 1930, Page 11

"ERRATIC ATTITUDE"

LANDING OF BIRDS

REPLY TO MINISTER

| The charge of inconsistency in reference to the landing of birds for the Wellington Zoo, preferred' by Mr. K. M'Keeu, M.P., against the Internal Affairs authorities, was repeated to-day by Mr. M'Keen in replying to the statement (published yesterday) by thu Minister in Charge of the Department (the Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle).

Mr.. M' Keen said it appeared from Mr. Pcn-elle's reply that ho had been misinformed. The facts were that two consignments of birds were shipped to the Curator of the Zpo, one from tho Zoological Gardens at Alipore, Cal cutta, and the other from a bird dealer in Singapore. Each lot vvtis accom ;an:ed by a veterinary certificate show av,\ that the birds were in good health. \7hen the Curator (Mr. Langrid o 'e) ap

i!icd for a permit for the Singapore consignment, lie was not aware that the .lirils from Calcutta had been shii'i"''! ,/>• the same vessel, and he did not kmnv that that was the case until he visiled Uic steamer on its arrival in order to

;tike delivery of the birds. Evidently infected by the scare caused by the put break of psittacosis, said Mr. M'Keeu. the Minister-decided not to permit the importation of birds for a period of twelve months. If he was of opinion that psittacosis was such a dangerous disease, why did he not immediately cancel all permits which had been granted for the introduction of birds? Instead of doing that, he permitted the consignment which had been ordered before tho placing of the restriction to be taken off the boat, whilst the Curator was prevented from taking delivery of the other birds, which consequently had to be destroyed. I cannot understand the utter inconsistency of the Minister in the matter. The Wellington Zoo has always been used as a quarantine station for birds, and the consignment which had been destroyed, much to the loss of the Zoo, could have been kept .under observation there for a period. The officer of the Department, on his inspection of the birds on the ship, had certified tho birds to he in a healthy condition. The Minister cannot excuse his erratic attitude." >.