DEER A MENACE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 11 October 1922, Page 9

DEER A MENACE

SCATHING COMMENT IN THE HOUSE REMOVAL OF ITIOTeAtDN RRORAHLF 300.000 IN THE COUNTRY ALREADY EXTEMHmi DAMAGE TO NELSON STATE FORESTS FA YOUR A RLE REPORT ON FARMERS' PETITION (From our Parliamentary Correspondent) WEiAANUTON, This Day. A iimaticr of Bouliilam! settlers who petitioned Parliament to hitve the protection of deer removed in ectfabt 'Patriots on aecount of their deprcdatiofiS, found a sympathetic House. Their petition was referred to the Government by the Public Petitions Committee for favourable consideration, and this report was well endorsed by members when it came up for adoption. Mr ,L A- .Hamilton (Awarua) thanked the Cnirimtitee for leaking a favourable report. The deer menace) Vie said, ttas so serious in some parts Of Ids electorate., that it would be only a matter of time when, if the pest was allowed to continue, the settlers would have to abandon their sections. He quoted the report of (lie Southland Acclimatisation Society's discussion, in which several speakers held it would bo unwise, to spend more money on an animal which might eventually be pest. It was a question whether the country should encourage deer farming or agriculture. Farmers had quite enough troubles without, having an additional pest, and he hoped sportsmen would give Wity In the interests of the producers. The Forestry Department had photographs showing the damage done) to young trees by deer, and it was evident that unless something was done at once, there would be great loss. Even looked at from the point of view of the stalker, (here were arguments for killing off large numbers of deer, for there was no sport if the animals were to;; plentiful. Tlie right to shoot deer at sight should be giv.n for a period until the animals were frightened into the high country. The Leader of the Opposition (Mr T. M. VVilford; said that if the deer had.multiplied to such an extent as to hamper farmers, there should be no close season. No one worthy of the name of a sportsman would hesitate’a moment in agreeing to deer being killed oil if the interests of the country were at Mr’ A. S. Malcolm (Clutha), although at one time proud of the introduction of deer, agreed that heads should be so severely culled as to cease to he a menace to farmers. Culling operations would improve the heads. The Minister for Internal Affairs (Hon W. Downie Stewart) considered the question important. 'lt was being dealt with on lines that would satisfy the House. The Government realised that the welfare of the farmers must have precedence. It looked to Uirn ns if protection would have to he removed altogether, except in limited areas. A report to be presented shortly showed that there were 300,000 doer in the country already. The Oovernmcnt had freed certain areas from protection, and he was going into the question of securing cheaper ammunition for' the use of those concerned.

Mr IV. 11. Field (Otaki) considered it impossible to speak too strongly on the subject, for not only were deer a menace'to the fanners,' but they were also destroying the bush. Mr 'Horn (WttkaUpu) suggested that tlic right to destroy deer should not be limited to shooting. Concerted action should be taken over given areas. ‘‘To-day the deer come down in droves," said Mr Edic (Bruce). ‘‘You can’t fence them; out,. The best thing to do is to give the settlers a free band to shoot on sight.” Among other speakers was Mr McLeod (Wairarapa), who referred to the delays when applications were made to acclimatisation societies for permits to shoot deer, lie believed in using deer for sport, but they should be restricted to the back country. The Commissioner of State Forests (Sir K. Heaton Rhodes) said the whole of the undergrowth had been destroyed in (he State Forest area in tiic Nelson district by deer. He added bis assurance to Close of other Ministers that everything possible would be done to control deer. He believed Him. suitable ammunition could be secured at reasonable price. The deer must .be driven back from the agricultural lands, but it would not be wise to destroy deer altogether, for they attracted many sportsmen.

Mr H. E. Holland (Bullcr) joined the argument for protection froifl deer and imported posts generally. The sporting requirements of a handful of people must give way to the economic needs of the country. The report was tabled.