BIRDS IN NEW ZEALAND

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 68, Issue 5944, 17 May 1944, Page 8

BIRDS IN NEW ZEALAND

SOCIETY’S ANNUAL MEETING UNIFIED CONTROL SOUGHT The leading note at the annual meeting of the Forest and Bird Society of New Zealand held in Wellington was the need for unified control of the wild life of the Dominion. No finality was reached, but the discussion showed that the subject was foremost amongst the thoughts of all concerned. Captain E. V. Sanderson presided. The report showed an excess of income over expenditure of £B9, and

that £250 had been set aside for reprinting the society’s bird albums, which were acknowledged to be a valuable contribution towards rousing interest in the fast disappearing feathered life of the Dominion. The sanctuary fund showed a nucleus oi £1452. A suitable area had been sought with disappointing results. It was considered essential that the sanctuary should be a haven, where the natural fauna could be studied in accustomed surroundings, with no intrusion of exotic plant and animal life. A sum should be set aside annually towards the fund. The better organisation and control of wild life was sidetracked by war activities, but it was urged that, while waiting, efforts should be made to re-establish soil fertility, and prevent the erosion caused by the destruction of upland vegetation. It was pointed out by Mr R. E. Gremett that there were 3,000,000 acres, excluding State forests, which were sanctuaries by law, but at present there was no proper policy in regard to wild life. At present sanctuaries lacked caretakers. The Education Department should assist what was really an important part of national education. Care should be taken to preserve New Zealand’s forests, and the physiology of plants and animals should be .studied, especially plants with medicinal qualities. The native forest was dwindling, and some plants, which later might be discovered to be valuable, were becoming very scarce. He cited American discoveries on these lines. Count Wodzicki, Consul-General of eland, referred to the attempt of the loyal Society in Wellington and -hristchurch to achieve unity amongst the affiliated wild life interests, and said that if this were done shortly, post-war activities towards unity in control could be more easily achieved. The help given by Government Departments was stressed by Mr R. Nelson. The society has endeavoured to organise in New Zealand a department of conservation, said the president. Later the Royal Society had taken the matter up, and had circularised members of other bodies regarding the matter. The idea was to approach the Prime Minister in a united way, but no agreement was reached as to the allotment of votes. It was suggested that first of all a conference be held. The society had pointed out that organisations like the acclimatisation societies, which had not been asked, should be approached. The Royal Society had approved, and was willing to send delegates to meet the Prime Minister. In the meantime Mr Fraser went away, and there the matter stood to-day. The Royal Society had been trying for years to help in the protection of wild life, said Dr. W. R. ”B. Oliver, and it was decided to get all other interested bodies to assist and go to tHe Government. While there was a general agreement on the desirability cf saving wild life, th'ere was little agreement as to the delegates. Those he communicated with decided not to get agreement on details forthwith, but to go for one point, some authority in administration. The matter has been delayed on account of the war, during which it was questioned whether it would be wise to try to get something done. Nobody was the matter than the society. It wJR vital matter for the whole of