NATIONAL ASSETS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 120, 17 November 1936, Page 6

NATIONAL ASSETS

BUSH AND WILD LIFE

PROTECTIVE MEASURES

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

INVERCARGILL, November 16.

Steps have been taken by the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) to ensure that there will, be no needless destruction of native bush and native bird life and fish by worfc; men employed by his 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 pufilic works jobs bringing the matter prominently to the attention of all employees."