BIRD LIFE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1936, Page 6

BIRD LIFE

STOAT AND WEASEL MENACE

Per Press Association Copyright,

CHRISTCHURCH, November 9

A concentrated drive against stoats and weasels on the part of all interested in bird life of the Dominion was advocated, by the Minister of Internal; Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) in, an) interview to-day. Mr Parry heartily., condemned as inimical to the welfare of game and of the native birds, thphabits, of the stoat and weasels. > ! Tlife widespread n a ture of the dain--ageiddfie hv th¥;stpat ail'd the weasel, he skid, : i}ad become alarming- So prolific'W’as. Stoat that, unless, active measures ' ‘We're takOn, within 15 or 20 years there-would be competition in numbers between the stoats and the birds.

The Minister said he knew .that the stoat, was tolerated by-some as-a destroyer of the rabbit, but- his information was that the stoats would not-at-tack rabbits while any feathered game was available. *

Mr Parry said that he had had, re* ports about the destructiveness of the hedge hog and the rat. -These animals he was sure, were a definite menace to bird life, and his opinion was. that, if New Zealand desired to maintain its native and game birds, efforts stronger than those of the past should, be made ,to destroy these pests. There must be a constant. and : vigilant* cam-, paigni against fhein. ; : - : )