NATIVE BIRDS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 30 November 1927, Page 5

NATIVE BIRDS

| QUESTION OF PROTECTION RAISED DURING LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL BUSINESS (By Telegraph) From "The Mail's" Parliamentary Reporter). WELLINGTON, 28th November. The Legislative Council met at 2.30 , p.m. to-day. Tho Native Land Amendment and Native. Land Claims Adjustment Bill was reported by the Lands Committee without' amendments. The amendments proposed by the Governor-General in the Local Legislation, Bill were agreed to. The Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill was reported by the Lands Committee without amendment. The Hon. Sir Thomas Mackenzie asked whether the Government will adopt similar measures for the protection and conservation of our useful and beautiful birds to those provided by the Canadian Government in respect of the protection and conservation of Canadian native birds; and, in order to make such protection and conservation measures more effective, whether it will refuse to grant not only permits to collectors for so-called scientific purposes,' but permits or licenses to take or kill native "birds during the nesting season, flapper stage, or close season. The Leader of the Council (the Right Hon. Sir Francis Bell) said that the policy of the Government was to do everything possible to assist in the preservation of our absolutely protected birds, and authority to take such birds was granted only on rare occasions, and even then was not extended to the rare specimens. Instructions had been issued by the Minister of Internal Affairs that no authority should bo granted to kill native birds in the nesting season or during the fiapper stage, or to take them except for the purpose of placing them in a sanctuary. Progress was reported on the Education Reserves Amendment Bill after brief discussion in Committee. The Council adjourned at 2.55 p.m. in order to hear the address of the Hon. L. CM. 8. Aniery in the House of Representatives. The Council adjourned until 11 a.m. to-morrow.