WILD LIFE CONTROL

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 194, 15 May 1944, Page 6

WILD LIFE CONTROL

Acclimatization Society’s Apprehension

ATTACKS ON EFFORTS?

"There still exists a body composed of persons of known antipathy to acclimatization societies who are -blind to the good work being carried out by them,” states the annual report" of the Wellington Acclimatization Society. “They seize every opportunity to attack our efforts and it is regrettable that they receive a measure of support from some of those in high places. We have to be constantly on the alert so that the interest of the acclimatization societies may be safeguarded. The report also states that a more or less determined attempt to again start a crusade was made in Christchurch recently, sponsored by the Christchurch Branch of the Royal Society of New Zea - land. Fortunately. Mr. Pomfrett-Dodd ‘attended the meeting and watched the interests of acclimatization societies. He disabused the minds of many at the meeting of some wrong views held by them. . , , ~ Many meetings were to ,be held throughout the Dominion to pass resolutions advocating a special department to be formed to control wild life. Such resolutions were to be forwarded to Wellington headquarters for adoption and presentation to what—by them—would be deemed fthe appropriate body. The danger of such a movement was so apparent that the society circulated all societies in the North Island warning them to . be alert. The secretary of the Royal Society had admitted there was consideration being 'given by his society to the question of”wild life control. He gave an assurance that it was in no way endeavouring to oust acclimatization societies ou. that on the contrary should a meeting be held by the Royal Society of New Zealaud- to consider wild life control the society would be asked to be represented. He was assured that the acclimatization society.was fully alive to the need of some better method of control and that assistance to construct the necessary machinery for such purpose was more likely to be forthcoming from it than opposition. It has already been rightly said, continues the report, that acclimatization societies had for many years controlled wild life in New Zealand and so far as the law allowed had made a good job o. it Mistakes had been made and were admitted, but the society could not accept the responsibility for them all. Records showed that acclimatization, societies as a body had little to do with the importation of some species of flora and fauna’ which in later years had become pests. It was the knowledge of such mistakes that compelled all thinking people to appreciate the necessity for research in the direction of better control. This was the attitude adopted, by the Wellington Acclimatization Society for years past and with whith it intended to continue.