SHOOTING BAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25214, 1 May 1943, Page 4

SHOOTING BAN

ACTION BY LANDHOLDERS PROBLEM FOR MINISTERS (P.A.) WAIROA, Apl. 30. Direct action was decided on at a meeting yesterday of the local Farmers’ Union over the alleged unjust distribution of ammunition lor the shooting season. It had been stated recently by the local representative acting for the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr W. E. Parry, that landholders, who were not compelled to take out a licence, would come into the distribution of the ammunition available. As a result of this statement a number of landholders, including a large percentage of Maoris, called at the distributing office yesterday, where they were informed that they must take out a licence before receiving any cartridges. This the Natives considered to be a breach of faith. They held a meeting immediately. and decided to prohibit shooting over the areas they control. The Maoris in this district hold rights over a large majority of the shooting areas, with the result that those holding a licence will be debarred to-mor-row from shooting game in all places where it is likely that large numbers of ducks will be found. Later a deputation of Natives waited on the meeting of farmers, and placed their complaint before it. As the result of a discussion it was decided to approach the Minister at once and inform him that unless the order for landholders to take out a licence before securing ammunition was cancelled all the farmers would prohibit shooting over their properties. Last night the Deputy Mayor. Mr M. J. Gemmell, who undertook the distribution on the request of the Minister. communicated with the Minister’s secretary by telephone, and placed the position before him. The secretary replied that the department was determined to stand behind the instructions issued, and that the landholders must take out licences in order to secure ammunition. This now means that if the resolution carried by the farme.-s and Maoris is put into operation there will be practically no shooting in the Wairoa district to-morrow, in spite of the fact that game appears to be more plentiful than for years past. An interesting disclosure at the farmers’ meeting yesterday was a statement that Messrs Farry, P. C. Webb, and R. Semple were coming to the Wairoa district for the shooting. The problem • now facing the members of the Ministerial party will be: Where are they going to shoot?