MUTTON-BIRDING

Southland Times, Issue 20697, 19 January 1929, Page 5

MUTTON-BIRDING

RECENT LEGISLATION. SAFEGUARDING THE INDUSTRY. (From Our Correspondent.) A correspondent of the Southland Times recently had occasion to ask for more precise information on the subject of the recent legislation affecting the mutton-bird industry in the southern part of New Zealand. A reporter, therefore, waited on Mr M. Wixon, of Bluff, with that object in view. Mr Wixon stated that he could add very little to what he had already said until he received a copy of the Act. It was only through the indulgence of Parliament that the remit from the natives was allowed to be put before the house. Had it not gone through, the same position would have existed as in previous years.—the importation of Tasmanian birds, repacked and sold as the New Zealand article. “The Tasmanian birds” said Mr Wixon, “are brought into the country before the New Zealand birds are on the market. The result is that the northern markets are glutted and the southern natives have to dispose of their birds for what they can get. The fact that the kits of birds are now to be marked by a label or printed slip' pasted to the kit would inform purchasers as to the nature of the goods within. The full name of the packer on the slip would mean that in the event of any irregularities that person would be liable. The main purpose of the Act, however, is the protection of the New Zealand industry and further sub-clauses will be submitted to Mr Tuiti Makitanara, M.P., when he visits Bluff in June next. We are pleased to note that others besides the Bluff muttonbirders are in agreement with the text of the legislation as numerous committees have been discussing the matter for years.”