THE DOMINION MUSEUM

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 202, 21 May 1920, Page 7

THE DOMINION MUSEUM

HOME FOB NATIONAL COLLECTIONS The trustees of the late Major Broun according to a telegram from Auckland have expressed resentment at the refuse of the Government to permit the expor' of the Broun colleotion of New Zealani beetles, and have suggested that tin object of the Government is to securi the collection for tho Dominion Musoun in Wellington. This statement of th< case does not represent exaotly the atti tude of the Department of Interna Affairs. The protest agafast tho cxpor of the collection came originally iron entomologists in various parts of Nen Zealand. The Department had lega power to prohibit the export, and ir uding this power it suggested that th< collection should go to the nationa museum, which happens to be in Welling ton; But the trustees can place the col lection anywhere they please, as long ai they do not send it abroad. The protest from Auckland conveys s suggestion that the Dominion Museum ii a Wellington institution. The Dom'inior Museum, as a matter of fact, is a national institution, controlled by the Gov eminent. Its finance is voted by Parlia ment, and is shown in the public accounts, The collections belong to Nen Zealand and not to Wellington. "The present Dominion Museum admit tedlv is not worthy of its status," pnit a local entomologist yesterday. _ "I refer of course, to the actual building. Bui Ht is a national museum, containing mucli stuff that has been given to the people of New Zealand, and there suvely is nc need for local jealousies on the point. .The Dominion Museum is in Wellington foi the game reason that other Government offices are here.' My own feeling is thai there is no objection to the Broun collection staying in Auckland, providec that it is in charge of a competent entomologist. Tho Dominion Museum ha: such an officer available. That is th< crux of the matter. Collectors want tc be able to send their specimens for comparison with tho Brouu collection for naming and classification."