IMPORTED PESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21076, 9 January 1932, Page 12

IMPORTED PESTS.

Sir, —In tho Herald of December 30 read an extract from the Herald of 50 years ago, as follows:—"We have been shown a parcel of figs and pears, grown in the Epsom district, completely destroyed by the blackbirds introduced by that pest importation association, tho '.Auckland Acclimatisation Society. Tho fruit had been well grown, but were completely destroyed, some of them having been almost wholly eaten. United action should be taken by all the highway:! . boards in the colony in compelling their representatives to secure the abolition of the Animals Protection Act, and thu;s ' allow the settlers the privilege of protecting the crops which their skill and industry raise." That was the position 50 years ago. It is much worse at the present time. The cry wo hear nowadays (from the Governor-General down), is "Get on the land." "The only hope for this country is more Rettlers on the land." Yet our short-sighted Government gives protection to imported pestb that do n great deal toward driving the settlers olf the land. The destruction caused in this country by imported pests mut>t be enorrrfous. I tried to grow green peas for market. I prepared the land, bought seed and manure, the crap coming up really ■well. Then quail and pheasants came along; result, nothing for me, my time, money and early season lost. 1 then tried potatoes. The result was almost as bac, for as soon as the' tops were above ground pheasants came and scratched out the potatoes I had planted. A neighbour tried to grow maize for his poultry, but pheasants ruined his crop. I fail to see the i value to this country of these imported pests. It certainly allows a small per. ceptage of the population to stride round ■with a gun, for a week or so in the year. But if those gentry want that pastime, lot rtherjl keep and feed the pests, and not turn them adrift to spoil the pocr styuggler's chance of making a living. I quite agree with the Herald of 50 years ago, that action should be taken to check "ttiei "pest importing associations." The associations should be held responsible for all damaga done by their pei,s ]to cultivations. Sufferer.