STATE CONTROL NOT WANTED

Southland Times, Issue 24112, 29 April 1940, Page 2

STATE CONTROL NOT WANTED

Acclimatization Work lii Dominion SOCIETY TO PROTEST TO MINISTER “Why should we carry on waiting for the blow to fall?” asked Mr E. L. Wyles at a meeting of the council of the North Canterbury Acclimatization society in discussing a report from the chairman (Dr D. McK. Dickson) on an interview with the Minister for Intelnal Affairs (the Hon. "W. E- Parry) con—cerning the Minister’s announced purpose of having the functions of acclimatization societies taken over by a Government department. The society should do something on its own behalf, said Mr Wyles. It might even come to the conclusion that it was advisable to inform the Minister that it proposed to terminate its activities. Mr C. H. Lawrence said that many recommendations of the council to the department had been ignored. It was disheartening to hear of the Minister s intention to take over the functions of the societies.

“How can they control a game season from a chair in Wellington? asked Mr Lawrence. “I hope sportsmen will rise in a body and make united representations to the Minister. We know what sort of service we shall receive from people, however well intentioned, who do not understand these matters.” Mr Lawrence moved: “That, as the present position of the societies in j;elation to the Hon. W. E. Parry and the Department of Internal Affairs is entirely unsatisfactory, the South Island Council of Acclimatization Societies be asked to call an early meeting of delegates, and that this view be forcibly represented to the Minister, and failing satisfaction, then to a higher quarter.” The motion was seconded by Mr E. L. Wyles. Mr R. B. Soanes said he was not sure whether Mr Parry could do what he planned without new legislation. But if the societies were not active that legislation would be passed before they were aware of it. The societies had built up an organization to help shooters and anglers, and they should fight for it if it were at all possible to do so. STATING SOCIETIES’ CASE “Mr Parry had stated his case. We should state ours,” Mr Soanes added. “If the work now done by the societies is run as a Government department it will not be a success. Mr Parry may be playing with something outside his scope.” “It will take a lot of force on the part of the societies to scotch this move,” said Professor E. Percival. “It has to be remembered that the department has an acclimatization district, and thinks it manages it well.” Mr Wyles asked whether the society was going to wait until it suited the Minister. Under present conditions it was impossible to formulate any longrange plan. Through their central body the societies should ask the Minister point blank when he. was going to put his plan into action. “I believe he has been asked several times, but has always hedged,” said Mr A. G. Familton. “The South Island council should call a conference .to discuss the dire necessity of making representations to the Minister, and gain for the body of sportsmen a clearcut answer. If the department does take over control it will have the whole bodys of sportsmen rising in protest.” The Minister’s claim was that the societies had not enough money, to do the work properly, said Dr Dickson. The Minister had said that the revenue from licence fees was inadequate to meet the position.

“RECOMMENDATIONS IGNORED”

“Our recommendations are constantly ignored,” said Mr W. J. Mac Gibbon. “The Minister overrides them in every direction. See what he says about licence revenue. If the department takes over sportsmen will find that licence fees will increase considerably.” Members referred to the high licence fees charged in the Taupo district, where the department had control. “The Minister seems to be quite honest in his convictions,” said Mr G. H. Stonyer, “but he just doesn’t seem to know.”

Mr Wyles asked if the Minister had indicated where, as the funds of _ the societies were considered insufficient, the money required for the work was to come from. The chan-man: Just the taxpayer. Mr Wyles: It is nice to know that the taxpayer will pay for our fishing and shooting. The motion was then carried.

On the motion of Dr Dickson, it was decided to write to the Minister asking for detailed reasons why the societies’ recommendations had been turned down.

Mr H. Harris said that the council of the society and the secretary had been blamed for the shortness of the season. He was glad the Minister had made it clear that the department was responsible.