CATS ISM CAMP

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 5, 1 May 1939, Page 8

CATS ISM CAMP

THE NUISANCE CONTINUES A letter from the Hon R., Semple, .Minister of Public Works, to' the Forest and Bird Protection Society, indicates his desire to prevent the straying of eats from Public Works camps to adjacent forest where they prey on native birds. He enclosed a copy of a circular which had been sent to all engineers in the camps, but in the opinion of the Society's Executive, this action docs not go far enough. The circular has this passage:--'"The Minister of Public Works won hi not like to issue instructions pro_ hibiting absolutely the keeping of cats and dogs in all camps, thus, for example, depriving children of their pet dogs, but it is considered that with the earnest co-operation of all officers and workmen, much can he done in the interests of our native bird and plant life —probably as much or even more than would result from the enforcement of a drastic prohibition.'' The belief of the Society's Executive is that such a circular leaves the position in much the same unsatisfactory state as heretofore. Tt is felt that it is much more important to protect the sadly.persecuted r ativ birds than to allow children to liavc such unnecessary pets as cats, which are notorious carriers of germs o ; ' i-nrio'is deadly diseases. Therefore, the executive lias adooted a resolution that the keeping of cats in th r (• imps should be prohibited, and that the engagement of men should he subject to that condition.