CONSERVATION OF WILD LIFE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 15 June 1940, Page 6

CONSERVATION OF WILD LIFE

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETIES CRITICISED [United Press Association] CHRISTCHURCH, 14th June. “Acclimatisation societies are the curse of New Zealand,” said Mr L. W. McCaskill, of the Christchurch Teachers’ Training College, in an address on conservation to the Canterbury School Committees’ Association. “The acclimatisation societies are only sectionally interested in the wild life of the country,” he said. “They are not concerned with fundamental issues at all. If you want to have a vote on one of their councils you have to be a shooter or a man with a licence to fish. That is all that interests them. “The control of the wild life of the country should not be in the hands of people who are sectionally interested. Because they shoot the grey duck they have no more right to the duck than I who am interested to observe it and take children to see and be interested in it. “These birds belong, like all the other birds of our country, to the whole of the people. A sectional body like an acclimatisation society does not represent the whole of the people, and has not the right to control of wild life. When we have a Minister of the Crown genuinely wanting to perpetuate the wild life of the country and to have a full survey of it so that it may be conserved, yet leaving room for the shooters, then we find a howl going up. “Yet the acclimatisation societies have been responsible for the destruction of much of our valuable ,and most rare bird life. For instance, by having a price on the heads of birds such as black shags, they have cultivated a destructive habit among the people. Men with guns will shoot anything to set what it is and perhaps get a price for its head.”

At the Oddfellows’ Hall to-night the Loyal Nelson Lodge will entertain the dancing public of Nelson. Valuable prizes are offering for the Early Bird and Monte Carlo. The music will be provided by Mr H. Williams’s Dance Band. With a perfect floor and special supper, dancers are assured of enjoyable entertainment.

The concert arranged in aid of Red Cross Funds to be held in the School of Music on Saturday, 29th June, should attract a large audience. Included in the programme are a string quartette, vocal and organ solos, a piano duo and elocutionary items. The Girls’ College Choir will sing and there will be a sketch in which Misses Nevin and Tomlinson and Mrs Shale will take part. Seats may be reserved at Begg’s.

The Nelson Labour Dance Band will hold a gala dance at the Velma tonight at 8 o’clock. Music will be by the Labour Dance Band and dancing will be old time and modern. Prizes will be given for Early Bird and two Monte Carlos, one at 9 o’clock and another at 11. Supper will be served by the ladies.