GOVERNMENT CONTROL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23953, 31 October 1939, Page 10

GOVERNMENT CONTROL

ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETIES REPORTS OF CONFERENCES “ I told them that we are fighting tor our very existence,” said Mr H. G. Williams at the meeting of the Council of the Otago Acclimatisation Society last evening, when he was asked to report on the recent conference of South Island Acclimatisation Societies at Timaru which he had attended as delegate from the Otago and Waitaki Societies. Mr Williams said the proposals of the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry) in connection with the taking over by the Government of the work of the societies had been strenuously opposed by the conference which had passed the following resolution:— “That this conference, as at present advised, cannot see that Government control will effect any improvement and that delegates to the conference with the Minister should be instructed to obtain details of the Miniser’s proposals before, in any way, committing the South Island Societies.” Conference With Minister A report on the conference with the Minister was also received at the meeting from Mr G. L. Pomfret-Dodds (North Canterbury). In his report he stated that the Minister’s attitude was that the game resources of the country had been exploited to a point beyond which it was not in the interests of wild game life for the present form of control. to be continued. He was of the opinion that a separate department should be created that could ask the Government to place upon the estimates a vote with which to augment the licence fees. If the country were to retain its reputation for sport, the Minister had argued, an organisation compatible with the present stage of civilisation must be provided. The head of the department he proposed would be a trained commissioner and fresh-water fish would come under the same department, and possibly such pests as rabbits and deer. The men engaged to destroy such pests would also undertake ranging work. The Minister had denied that he advocated closing the season for ducks or raising licence fees to £6 or £7, but he had stated that he was convinced that a close season in every third year was a necessity. The result of the conference had been that a committee had been set up to prepare a report for the North Island and South Island Councils on 1. The acquisition of knowledge in relation to fresh-water fisheries and wild fowl life. 2. To make recommendations in respect to precautionary conservation measures pending the finding of this research. 3. To consider ways and means of improving the co-ordination of acclimatisation societies and the parent departments—the Internal Affairs and Marine Departments. 4. To consider the general question of finance with particular reference to the improvement of societies regarded ns financially weak. 5. To consider matters incidental to these. At the conclusion, members expressed gratification at the tone taken by the conference at Timaru and with the report sent by Mr Pomfret-Dodds Mr Williams was thanked for the work he had done in the matter