ACCLIMATISATION CONFERENCE.

Evening Star, Issue 11793, 24 January 1903, Page 3

ACCLIMATISATION CONFERENCE.

[Special to the Stab.] . AV ELLINGTON, Januarv 25. After the conference of Acclimatisation Societies had opened their sitting this morning, a long discussion took place on a motion by Mr Fisher, representing the Canterbury Society, that the meeting form an association rf .societies. ’the movei explained that his society were strongly in favor of such a proposal, because indiviclua. societies were at present not able to bring as much mffiicnce to bear on the Government and Parliament that they ought to be able ro bring on acclimatisation matters, and there were many questions occurring during (lie recess anil the session on which it was very important that the mind of the societies should bo represented. It was suggested that the headquarters of the Association should be in AVellington. and that the Executive would then be always able to protect the interests or the Association.—Air Sliury (Ashburton) was of opinion that the smaller societies would ibid it a heavy tax on their resources to send delegates to meetings of the Association, even if they could line! members able to attend.—Air*A. 0. Begg (Otago) said the only object of an assoeiatjon was to enable them to speak to the Government with a united voice on any special subject.—Air Gillies (Auckland) said that the Auckland Society were distinctly in favor of forming an association, as at present there was no medium through which the societies could communicate with one another without trenching on. the affairs of each individual society. ‘The formation of the association would enable them to deal with affairs affecting the colony as a whole. The central body should be a small executive body representing the whole of the societies.—Mr Andrews (Wellington) said that his society had come to the conclusion that it would be more desirable to have a conference of societies at the beginning of each session. It would bo of extreme value, and would enable societies to discuss all difficult points, and to bring pressure to bear on the Government at a time when such pressure would be most valuable. On the other hand, he couid not sec how they could have an association which would not in some matters trench on the functions of individual societies, and would tend to the establishment of one society for the colony. He moved as an amendment—“ That,* in lieu of an association, an annual conference of societies ho held in AVellington.”—Air Shurv seconded this amendment.—Mr A. U. Begg said that, the only object of an association was to have body which could speak with a united voire on acclimatisation matters. Ir. was not proposed that the societies would be bound hr resolutions of the association.—Mr Cliisholm (Otago) was surprised to hear the arguments put forward by Air Andrew. The necessity for a representative association was apparent, and a conference was by no means incompatible with an association. He was quite satisfied that Otago, for instance, would have no difficulty in sending one delegate to the meetings of the association, and the smaller societies could appoint a.s their delegates men from other places who were able to attend.—Mr Shecdon (Ashburton) thought an association would be a good thing if local societies were left, in a position to control their own affairs.—Air Ritchie (Canterbury) said his experience of conferences was, that they had not been an nntftixcd blessing. They spoke with no authority, and had no control. What, they wanted was a kind of governing body, who would be able to put their ideas before the proper authority, and act as a kind of appeal board. They wanted a head. Now they were all drifting on different lines. Unless something of this sort were done Government would take over the whole concern.—Air Lowe (Wellington) declared that the association must be given some power. Their action must hind other societies, and that would inevitably cause friction on account of diverse _ interests throughout the colony.— Mr Fisher (Canterbury) did not anticipate that the association would trench upon the duties of the various societies, or that there would be any difficulty in framing the objects of the association. He. did not think there would he any difficulty about representation. He had it from responsible persons that the Government wished that a body should be formed which would speak with a united voice on acclimatisation matters.—The Chairman said it was evident that all the delegates -were agreed that there should be some representative body to express to the Government, for instance, the views of the societies in general, and who would thus carry a weight which the Government or anyone else must attend to. —The amendment, proposing an annual conference of societies was negatived, onlv five voting for it. nnl the resolution “That a New Zealand Acclimatisation Society be formed” was carried.

On the motion of the chairman (Mr Tfit-zroy) it was resolved that it is desirable that there should be a uniform fee for fishing licenses of each class throughout the colony, and it was decided that fees for adults be 20s, women ss, and boys ss. Societies are to be empowered to issue half season licenses at not less than 12s sd. Iso license is to be issued except for cash or for services rendered. In regard to shooting licenses, the Conference resolved that licenses for shooting imported and native game, except deer,, be issued at 20s, and power be obtained for societies to endorse licenses. A proposal to recommend that a gun tax be imposed was withdrawn. Mr A. H. Shiny moved—“ That the netting and sale in the colony and export of trout from the rivers and lakes in fc

Zealand be absolutely prohibited, and that strong representations be made to the Government on the que-stion.” There was a general consensus of opinion that the sale and export of trout, ■would rnin fishing in the colony. The motion was carried unanimouslv.

Mr Begg moved—" That the recommendation bo made to societies, with a view to ccping with tho destruction of small birds, to introdui e the owl, the magpie, and the jay,” but this was negatived. The Conference decided to ask the Government to instruct the police to assist in putting down poaching. It was resolved that the opening of the season for shooting native and imported game be uniform throughout the co.onv—viz., from May 1 to July 31. By a large majority it was decided that owners of land only be allowed to shoot free, and that the clause allowing transfer to a deputy b“ expunged from the Act.