THE DEER MENACE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21020, 8 May 1930, Page 13

THE DEER MENACE.

CONFERENCE IN CHRISTCHURCH. REMOVAL OF PROTECTION. (Peb United Pbess Associate f.j CHRISTCHURCH, Mil 7. Tlie conference convened by tin Government to consider the menace cai .d by the increase in the deer herds was peued ttiis morning. There were 45 dc .-gates present. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr P. A. de la Perrelle), who presided, said he considered that the first step to deal with the situatmn was to remove absolutely protection on all deer, chamois, and thar, though he would be quite agreeable to protection being reimposed for a short, shooting season under license to give acclimatisation societies an opportunity of obtaining revenue for further destruction. The delegates were unanimous that there is a menace of deer in New Zealand to forest, farm, and bird life; that steps, must be taken urgently to remove that menace, and that the one directing body should be the Government in consultation with others interested. Much further than that the conference could not go, although suggestions were made variously for control or extermination of deer. it was agreed that if extermination was at all possible it would certainly be costly, and that the Government must be prepared to meet the cost. Opinion was divided whether the Department of Internal Affairs or the Forestry Department should have charge, some delegates favouring a combination of the two. The Government was reminded by individual delegates that precaution must be taken against the increase of goats and stoats and weasels. The conference adopted the Minister’s suggestion readily as to removing protection on deer, chamois, and thar, being strongly in favour of the extermination of _ deer. Some delegates expressed the opinion that the mere removal of the protection would not result in any great slaughter of deer, holding that this would be brought about only by organising shooting parties, as was now done by the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, and employing rangers.