GAME BIRDS

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 138, 8 December 1936, Page 6

GAME BIRDS

STATE FARM PROPOSAL

."We cannot breed and liberate birds unless we have the money to do it. The only-way is to increase the licence fee,, and then breed and liberate the birds for all you are worth," said the Minister of Internal Affairs; the Hon. W. E. Parry, in reply to a deputation from the Whakatane Rod and Gun Club at Whakatane, reports a correspondent. The Minister was referring to game on the State farm at Ngongotaha, Rotorua. "We are not altogether satisfied with the farm being in this position, but we did not want to lose the breeding season, and so we started the work right away, and, I think, have done fairly well,": he added. "We are. looking for a place in this part'of the country. We want a position that will enable us to have a good lagoon, because we want to breed duck as well as pheasants. "We want some co-ordination among the societies. My idea is to have a bird farm for earh island, but it is very difficult. All societies want'to have their own little. scheme. I hope that does nbt continue, because there will be other things done if they do." Mr. Parry said that both fishing and shooting were not as good as twenty or thirty years ago, but it was up to them to do their best to conserve it. He did-not think any.real. sportsman would grudge a few shillings extra oh the licence fee. The Minister promised the. deputation he would consider their constructive suggestions and thought that something might be done towards the supply of cartridges for a stag; drive. ■■■• ■' •■•• •■■ ■ ■■■" ■ ■■■••"