NATIVE BIRDS POISONED

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 November 1937, Page 3

NATIVE BIRDS POISONED

MINISTER ASSURES PROTECTION [PER I’KICSS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, November 1. An assurance that everything possible would be done to protect the native birds pf New Zealand from extermination was'given by the Minister for Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) when replying to the representations of a deputation that expressed concern about the losses of kiwis through poisoning in Hawke’s Eay. Investigations had been made, the Minister said, and it had been proved that the number of kiwis was being reduced by wanton destruction, and it was necessary for everyone to work for their preservation. It was stated to the Minister that poisoned grain laid for rabbits had accounted for the lives of many kiwis and that it would probably save the already diminishing number of birds if some poison other than that used lon pollard and grain for exterminating rabbits could be discovered, a poison which would not appeal to the kiwi.

The Minister said the question of birds being killed by poisoned pollard had received a good deal of consideration. In some cases it had been possible to have the use of poison for rabbits restricted to poisoned carrots. The Department of Agriculture considered that in some instances restriction would be fatal to the effective control of the rabbit nuisance, and that a change of poisons was necessary at some time of the year.