WILD LIFE.

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16813, 3 June 1926, Page 9

WILD LIFE.

WANTON DESTRUCTION. DEADLY CATAPULT. The plea for the better protection of plants, animals, and birds in this coun try was the keynolc of the annual meeting of the Wild Life Preservation Society of Australia, held at Sydney. The president, Mr D. G. Slcad, was chairman. indignation was expressed in the annual report, at the Tourist Bureau advertising in the pages of its literature I lie opportunities for "good shooting" in places that were proclaimed sanctuaries, notwithstanding that the bureau officials when approached by the society had given assurances tiiat such references would be deleted from the pamphlets. Stringent action was urged lo stop this "unintentional but nevertheless effective 'Government-aided' bird destruction." Reference was made in the report to the extraordinary number of complaints during the past 12 months, especially during the nesting season, regarding Ihe slaughter of birds with catapults. One firm of rubber manufacturers in Sydney actually had presented Ihe Goulburn Eight-hour Committee with six gross of the things "for distribution as prizes at the sports," because the donors said, the catapult was very popular with city lads, and would no doubt he appreciated by the boys at Goulburn." To the credit of the 'committee the catapults had been promptly relumed, when the donors substituted a gift of tennis shoes. "The desirability of specifically prohibiting Ihe catapult from use in any circumstances," said the report, "has already been brought up in Parliament, but nothing whatever has been done. The manufacture, sale, possession, or use of these instruments of destruction should be absolutely prohibited." it .was announced that successful steps had been taken lo prevent the exportation of native birds, though still there were instances of wholesale export, as recently about 2000 cockatoos had been sent away lo America in one lot.

"One of the greatest scandals in New South Wales for many years past," continued the report, "has been the perpetual sacrifice of Ihe poor 'possum, under Ihe aegis of the State. Associated with the legalised destruction has been a vast amount of illicit destruction, coupled with the use of ten most dangerous poison, known as cyanide of potassium, which has accounted for thousands of head of stock, as well as Ihe ■possums taken. "A determined movement throughout the country is needed to put an end to these practices."