Bird Preservation

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXII, Issue 249, 20 August 1928, Page 3

Bird Preservation

INTERNATIONAL DECLARATION The declaration of Principles as adopted at the Geneva Conference of Many Nations, on May 21st, 1928, is as follows: — We believe that wild-bird life is of great importance in the world in helping to preserve the balance between species which nature is constantly seeking to adjust, that birds have a great importance for science, exercise a great aesthetic influence on all right-minded peole, and are of great value to mankind as food, as destroyers of rodents and injurious insects, and as incentives for reasonable field sports. We believe that, through ignorance, selfishness, and from an undue desire for gain, mankind is reducing the number of birds in many countries at an alarming rate, having in fact already exterminated from the earth various interesting and valuable species. We are in sympathy with all reasonable methods taken to increase the number of game birds in order that the surplus may be used for food or sport. We commend the study of the food habits of wild birds, in relation to agriculture, horticulture, and forestry, and the publication of the information thus obtained in order that the people of the world may require a more accurate conception of the value of bird life. We rejoice in all efforts being made by educational institutions of whatever nature, as well as by thousands of private individuals, in imparting to the general public knowledge regarding the appearance, habits, activities and songs of wild birds, that adults and children alike may be taught to appreciate the aesthetic value of the living bird. We believe that to bring about more adequate bird protection much good can be accompolished by the wider organisation of the International Committee for Bird Preservation. We therefore approve of the above Declaration of Principles and the following By-Laws.