MUTTON BIRDS
To The Editor Sir, —Only a few years ago I remember the Southland Maoris having a fear that the Government would in time do them out of their legal rights to the mutton bird islands. This fear, of course, is quite unjustified. Although all the islands belong to the Government the Maoris will have the right of taking mutton birds for all time provided that they occupy the islands. Birds will be very scarce on the market this year because lew have gone to the islands. This is the result of the increased cost of transportation. Since the Labour Government got into power, and wages and the cost of living went up the ship owners have found it necessary to raise the fares to and from the islands. Then there are railway expenses on top of that, with the results that the Maori will soon be starved out. Unless we have a change of Government before next mutton bird season the islands may become an idle tourist resort for returned soldiers when the war is over. —Yours, etc., TAOKIHEPA. April 21, 1941.
(Other correspondence has been held over through pressure on space.)
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Bibliographic details
Southland Times, Issue 24420, 28 April 1941, Page 3
Word Count
194MUTTON BIRDS Southland Times, Issue 24420, 28 April 1941, Page 3
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