SEALS AND NATIVE BIRDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17503, 20 December 1918, Page 5

SEALS AND NATIVE BIRDS

ADEQUATE PROTECTION URGED.

Tho securing of adequate protection for seals and native birds was tho object of a communication received by the Canterbury Philosophical Institute on Wednesday night from the Otago Institute (says the Christ l church Press). ' r

Tho hon. secretary (Mr. L. P. Symes) said the Otago Institute asked that the Canterbury Philosophical Institute should forward a resolution to the New Zealand Institute so as to strengthen that body's hands when it approached the Government in the matter.

Mr M. H. Godby said tho North. Canterbury Acclimatisation Society was moving- through Mr E. F. Stead, to secure protection for certain native birds. Perhaps tho institute and the society could take joint action by conbulting each other regarding: native birds. He moved that the new council bo recommended to appoint a sub-committeo to confer with. Mr Stead in tho matter.

Professor' Chilton said he thought it was a suicidal policy for the Government to allow seals to be killed. If they had protected seals for a certain immber of years a productive industry might have been built up. He urged Mr Godby to amend his motion providing for the approving of the Otago Institute's action in the matter. Mr Godby said they hardly knew what action tho Otago Institute had taken. Hβ would amend his motion to provide- that the meeting heartily approve the principle of orotecting seals and native birds. The motion, in its amended form, was unanimously carried.