AUTOMATIC GUNS.

Southland Times, Issue 19772, 21 February 1923, Page 2

AUTOMATIC GUNS.

To the Editor. Sir, —In your Friday morning’s issue 1 notice a report of a meeting of the Council of the Southland Acclimatisation Society, to which—among other things—the Stock Committee reports, “That owners of automatic guns be advised to have their guns converted (to two shot guns) before next shooting season.” Sir, 1 think that for pure, unadulterated, double-distilled impudence, the above is about the limit. We are calmly advised to go and get our guns ruined utterly, at our own expense, because there is a rumour abroad to the effect that the automatic gun will be declared an illegal weapon for the taking of Native and imported game next shooting season. I have often heard one man tell another to “go and get hanged” but I never supposed, the advice was intended to be taken seriously, but since the Stock Committee have the affrontery to advise the owners of automatic guns to go and get their own property destroyed and expect said owners to take their advice seriously—well anything is possible! I have always been led to believe that the Southland Society did not favour this one-sided and selfish agitation against the automatic gun, but judging by the unseemly haste with which the Stock Committee issue their uncalled for “advice” 1 should say that they at least are in favour of the proposed restriction (or “destruction” as it really is) of the automatic gun. For the information of myself and shootists generally, might I ask you, Mr Editor, to publish the names of the members of the Stock Committee? As it would be decidedly interesting to know who it is that could give such extraordinary advice to other people regarding their own property. —I am, etc., D. C. MUNRO.

(The Stock Committee’s report was by way of warning, and was not an instruction. Presumably the Committee does not think the prohibition on the taking of native and imported game with automatic guns will be suspended as was the case last season. Our correspondent is right in condemning the prohibition, but he is not fair to the Stock Committee of the Association.—Ed. S.T.).