ACCLIMATISATION CONFERENCE

Grey River Argus, 22 July 1910, Page 6

ACCLIMATISATION CONFERENCE

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON,; JuIy 21. At the Acclimatisation Society's conference resolutions weye adopted to the following effect: — That in view of the rapid depletion of native and imported game steps be taken to secure the issue of a general license to kill native and im ported game at a fee to be fixed by each local society, the fee not to exceed £1. That all • protection be moved from stoats, weasels and ferrets, in such districts or portion of a district, as any Acclimatisation Society or controlling authority may. determine. That Government be asked to remove the restriction whereby every third year is a close season for godwit, and that the season be from February Ist to April 30th. That- it be left to the individual societies that every third year shall be an "open' ( ' or "closed" season, and that the Animals Protection Act be amended accordingly. • That the minimum for .breaches "of the Fisheries and Animals Protection Act should be ,£3. That each Acclimatisation Society should be gazetted a separate shoot Ing district under the Animals Protection Act. . That the Government be asked, in view of the fact . that a considerable number of trout are regularly netted at Lake EUesmere arid Lake Forsyth, to prohibit the issue of tboat licenses for these lakes. This Conference is of opindon: — (I)— That the . introduction of stoats,, weasels, . ferrets, or other animal? of like -proclivities to any of the coastal ..islands' comprised ' in the ■territory . of New Zealand should be prohibited. , (2)— That steps should be forthwith taken to have native birds placed on such of the samd islands as may be suitable for their preservation. , . (3) — That every such island should be placed under the control of a per son ;or ■ persons competent for the work of • safeguarding the native Ibirds. (4)-^That. all scenic, and other .res •erves of native bush, whether situate on the mainland or; on the islands aforesaid, should .. be made sanctuaries for native birds and shooting in «uch . sanctuaries be. absolutely prohibited. .That whereas grave danger to life property and undue destruction of na tive and other, game,: are involved in the prevailing, indiscriminate use. {•of tfte* Rifles . <his conference affirms.- the desirab^ity of placing the use of these . wekpons under further legislative control. \