DEER AND GOAT MENACE

Taranaki Daily News, 14 March 1935, Page 7

DEER AND GOAT MENACE

DEBATE IN UPPER HOUSE DOMINION’S BUSH THREATENED. GOVERNMENT URGED TO ACT. SYMPATHY WITH MOVEMENT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. When the Legislative Council met today, in the absence of Sir Francis Bell, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes moved that in the opinion of the Council the Government Should take active and effective steps to exterminate dear and wild goats, which Were doing irreparable damage to native foreSts, many of which, if not more Jealously protected, Would be inevitably destroyed. Sir Heaton Said the motion had been tabled for the purpose of drawing attention to the damage done by deer ahd in order to bring about their extermination. The destruction of forests by deer and goats was having a serious effect on the bird life of the Dominion and, from the point of view of ' the city dweller, the menace was destroying bush on Watersheds from which towns derived their water supply. The Hon. C. J. Carrington seconded the motion and urged the Government to combat the deer and goat menace immediately. The damage done to New Zealand bush by wild animals was more extensive than most people believed. The Hon. F. Waite suggested that moose and wapiti should be destroyed in addition to red deer.

A small section of the sporting public might be inclined to think their privileges were being curtailed by the motion, remarked the Hon. J. Alexander, but incalculable damage was being done by insidious public enemies to New Zealand’s natural heritage.

The Hon. D. Buddo said the adestruction of forests by deer was having a Serious effect on the Water supply of Canterbury. Widespread damage had been done by dfeer on Stewart Island, stated the Hon. G. J. Anderson. The Hon’ R. Masters said that since 1928 the amount spent by the Government on the destruction of deer had grown from £328 to £5186. For the current year the estimate was £4OOO and it was expected that the Government would obtain £2OOO in revenue. The Government was sympathetic with the objects of the motion. The motion was carried.