SHOOTING SEASON

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 25, 24 October 1942, Page 6

SHOOTING SEASON

Possibilities Of Sport In 1943 REQUEST TO PRIME MINISTER Whether there would be a shooting season next winter was discussed at the meeting yesterday of the North Island Acclimatization Societies’ Council, at which there was also present the president of the 'South Island council, Mr. G. L. Pomfret-Dodd. Later the members of the council met the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, as a deputation to obtain his view. Mr. Fraser said that a reply could not be given till later. The council's discussion of the subject bore mainly on the availability of ammunition and the length of the season. Mr. S. J. Snow (Northland) said that two societies in his district wanted an open season and two did not. Several speakers said that sportsmen already had ammunition, and it was suggested that those with more than they needed would sell it to those without enough. Mr. Pomfret-Dodd said the disappointment that had been caused last season by people being led to expect that there would 'be an open season and then finding that there was not to be a season should be avoided. It was not what was done but how it was done that caused the complaints. It was resolved that the North and South Island societies desired an open season in 1943, whether new ammunition was released or not, and that the period should be three weekends for duck with longer periods for other game as required by individual societies.

This decision was reported to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr, Parry, by the chairman, Mr, F, E. McKenzie, when Mr. Parry attended the conference. Mr, Parry discussed the' subject with the meeting and later led a deputation to the Prime Minister. Mr. McKenzie asked Mr. Fraser if, in the event of war conditions being more favourable in the near future, consideration could be given to the council’s request. Mr. Fraser said that lie appreciated the viewpoints expressed by the representatives of the societies, and he regretted not being able at present to give a definite reply to the request. If matters developed satisfactorily between now and May he could give the assurance that the request of rhe societies would be carefully reviewed.