Scheme For Small Man Same Farms

Northern Advocate, 7 January 1948, Page 4

Scheme For Small Man Same Farms

ROTORUA, Wed. (Sp.)—The establishment throughout the North Island of several small one-man game farms from each of which an ex-ser-viceman could make a livelihood has been suggested by the Minister of /Internal Affairs (Mr Parry) to the Rotorua Rod and Gun Club as a way of providing more game for shooters.

Mr Parry, who is in Rotorua, told the club that the department was well aware that there was a shortage of game in most districts. The scheme he proposed would not only increase the pheasant population but would rehabilitate several former servicemen. 50,000 A YEAR Annual liberation of at least 50.000 birds would be possible if the extra game farms were set up, Mr Parry said. He suggested the formation of a settlement with a central farm which would maintain the stock birds and incubators for the distribution of pheasants to a number of smaller farms for rearing.

The individual game farm owners would then sell the pheasants to acclimatisation societies, which would liberate them. The day had gone in New Zealand, Mr Parry said, when any reliance could be placed on the natural breeding of game to keep up sufficient birds for the shooting season, and, as more and more young men were taking .up the sport, they would have to be catered for. COST OP ESTABLISHMENT

I The cost of the establishment of this network of farms could be borne by I the shooters, who he was sure would prepared to pay £1 or so more in licence fees for a guaranteed successful shooting season. ! He hoped acclimatisation societies ! would advance the scheme. The Rotorua club promised the ! Minister its fullest support.