THE HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2275, 8 October 1914, Page 7

THE HOUSE

The House of Representatives sat at 2.30 p.m. Mr. J. PAYNE (Grey Lynn) gave notice of his intention to introduce the Electoral Act Amendment and Right to Vote Bill: . . Four days' leave of absence was granted to Sir Joseph Ward.' MR. SPEAKER said that the period of the , session had • arrived when he ehould make a statement regarding tho taking of new business after 0.30 a.m. He said that he did not propose to make the rule that day, hut he would do so in a day or two. DRAINAGE BILLS. Tho Rangitailri Land Drainage Bill (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) was read a third time after brief debate. The Hauraki Plains Amendment Bill (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) was further considered in Committee. The Bill was reported from Committee ■with amendments, was' read a third time, and passed. EDUCATION RESERVES. The Education Reserves Amendment Bill (the Hon. J. Allen) was allowed to go through Committee with little discussion, and was reported without amendments. TO PROTECT THE BIRDS. ILLICIT SLAUGHTER. The Hon. Ri H. RHODES moved the second reading of the. Animals' Protection 'Amendment Bill, and "he explained that tho object of the Bill was to protect from destruction our fast-vanish-ing native birds.. ' Mr. H. G. ELL'(Christchurch South), supporting tho Bill, said it was tho opinion of persons in charge of.accli-, inatisation that a great many bird-skins were being exported surreptitiously from Now Zealand, and that a great deal of t-laughter was going on. It was his opinion, for instance-, that tho kiwi, a most interesting bird peculiar to these islands, was borng exterminated iii this way. , , ■..

Mr. G. M. THOMSON (Dunedin North) referred' to the total disappearanco of the huia, and the almost total disappearance from our forests of other beautiful native birds. He discussed methods' of increasing tho number of wild birds by breeding them in captivity and liberating them, stating that this was regularly done in some European countries. The Hon. D. BUDDO (Kaiapoi) suggested, that more sanctuaries should bo acquired in the South Island. Sir. G. J. ANDERSON (Mataura)suggested that the Government should acquire-for the purposes of a sanctuary Cod Island, a small.piece of land to,the west of Stewart Island! This island, he said, would be an excellent sanctuary, and it was held by a constituent of hisj'who leased it for £5 a year, and who, in parting with his rights, would only ask for a return of tho money ivhich lie had expended on the island, as-he was desirous of seeing -tho bird life of tlu» country preserved. . Mr. Anderson suggested, also, that domains should bo declared sanctuaries, so that birds which took refuge , in them could not be shot.

Dr. A, K. NEWMAN OVelliußton East)" said that he was of opinion that the scarcity of many of our native birds was a result of j>he introduction of stoats and weasels. On a farm of his own, he found that the welta was practically extinct, and the pukaki nearly gone. ' Hβ thought _ that the_ kiwi would become ; extinct within _ a range' of years which would surprise most people. He was confident that the huia was absolutely extinct, and ho said this after careful and fairly extensive inquiry. The tui' was another bird which was dying out, and tho bittern was found only in rare places. The preservation, of the pigeon and the paradise duck should bo attended to. He ire-ntioned that the mountain duck, a .really beautiful bird, was not one of the birds put in sanctuaries, but said that it should bo. Mr. J. G. COATES (Kaipara), who (in a retort to an interrupter), said that he was the instigator of the Bill, emphasised the need for taking immediate steps to • preserve the bird-life of the Country. ' ... The Hon. R. H. RHODES, in replying, said that he did not think that' a suggestion of Mr. G. W. Russell (that the prohibition against the shooting of pigeons should be removed) - would be. agreed to. The Minister of Internal Affaire was very anxious'to preserve these birds. He commended the suggestion of Mr. Anderson thatVdoraains should bo declared sanctuaries. , The Bill was then read a second time.