WHAT OF WILD LIFE?

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 3, 26 April 1939, Page 5

WHAT OF WILD LIFE?

o A MUDDLE OF NOTIONS - . i,i;.executive of the Forest-' and Bird Protection Socieay continues to press for an intelligent policy? ;i*i wild life conservation. "This ideal will not be achieved in New Zealand," states Captain E. V. , Sanderson, president of the Society, "until there is a proper appreciation, of the complex factors Much biological research is needed , as a preliminary to the formulation . of a correct policy. "Some people say that hawks arethe real enemy of all birds. They ignore the fact that hawks have lived in association with birds for ages, upon ages. Other commentatorsspecially mention stoats and weasels. "The Forest and Bird Protection. Society, which receives reports from all parts of New Zealand, holds that by far the most numerous accusations are against Man in the form of illegal shooting and other destruction. "Judging from observations and reports, it appears that there is a constant trend in migration northward of weasels and stoats. They will at times disappear almost entirely from a locality and then take some years to b.uild up their numbers, out all the time comes the tale of woe about stoats and in th& more northern districts. "Much will be learned about wild life, and there will be much (saving -it waste effort and license holders' noney, when it is*|eedgijised th.aj$»ijplogiC!sl & ;ary wtt&t are fifectsaifci vhat are mere surmises. The investigations of Mich a cdriimiitee ' wrn >ring definite, truth in place of disputes based on guesswork, and Mincers of the Crown will receive., thenowledge necessary for their gutd.acs in the