WILD LIFE CONTEOL

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 75, 30 March 1933, Page 10

WILD LIFE CONTEOL

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Dr. Anson, chairman of the Wellington Acclimatisation' Society, in speaking on this subject recently, stated': "It was only by the vesting of control in one body that adequate and economic control could exist." With this my council thoroughly agreed. In fact, it was this objective that brought it into existence. The New/Zealand Wild Life Council consists of two delegates each from the following bodies: New Zealand Acclimatisation Societies' Executive, New Zealand Institute, New Zealand Forestry League, New Zealand Native Bird "Protection Society, New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, Wellington Philosophical Society, New Zealand Farmers' Union, and the Tararua Tramping Club. ;

A vast field of research lies before this body, and .sub-committees are now studying various important phases with a vie>v to the construction of a policy that will adequately meet the very serious position that faces the well-being of the Dominion. Investigations have already \ proved conclusively that all forms of wild life, whether flora or fauna, are so closely related as to make it clear that the question must be dealt with as a whole and not piecemeal. .

The indigenous forests, birds, fish, insects,'etc., the introduced animals, whether useful or classed as vermin, so influence one another as to make it imperative that the whole must come under one effective coutrol vested with the necessary statutory powers and provided with sufficient funds. In proof of this one has only to reflect as to the position as it exists today—a position that has been born of sectional and non-co-ordinated cqntrol. Space will - not permit of but a brief list of some of the evils that are upon us as a result of past neglect or inefficiency: (1) Countless thousands of deer and goats are menacing the existence of our ''protection" forests, the destruction of which would constitute a great national calamity and threaten our great agricultural industries.

(2) Floods and erosion, ever on the increase as the result of the clearing of the forests growth at the sources of rivers, are responsible for a colossal annual loss which, if it could be accurately estimated in figures, would stagger our citizens. (3) The native bird life is fast disappearing, largely as the result of introduced pests and the disappearance of our native forests.

(4) Vermin such as stoats aiid weasels, predaceous birds, hedgehogs, etc., are overrunning the country. (5) Insect pests are rapidly spreading over the land as the direct result of.;tlie absence. o£\ bird life. ' The above list- is quite incomplete, but it should suffice to damn once and for all the administration of wild life that, has hitherto! prevailed. No good purpose Vcan be served by dissipating energy in.a yam endeavour to; fasten' the blame of past deeds of omission and commission on this or that body, > for it will require the cpnibined and undivided strength of all to stay the present drift aiid its disastrous consequences. , ■ ," .■ ':. ■ ...' The many acclimatisation societies throughout the Dominion have been the only bodies that have hitherto . enjoyed both a measure of control and a source of revenue derived from wild life. In addition, however, there are some seven Government departments which administer the Acts governing the same, as follows:— Game, birds,, and deer: Department of Internal Affairs. Fish: Marine Department. Rabbits, , stoats, and weasels:1 Department of Agriculture..- ;.: ' v ■. . . ■ Forests: Lands Department, Tourist Department, and State Forest Service:-■'. .' Importation and exportation: " Customs Department. ■ _.-'" ;' •; •S J .• .1 Investigation has convinced my council that, apart from this irrationpl division of control, there is a laihentable lack of coordination between these several. auihorK| ties. _* " ■"'!■ ; -■■ -.; The first necessary step is to follow the lead of countries which have shown foresight by marshalling the' -control of r.all wild life under one Department; antf then range under that Department an advisory body thoroughly representative of , all voluntary"bodies which, are fitted to'cooperate in the great task, that lies ahead. It is obvious that no State Department could alone carry through .the work. Public opinion must be created and sym.pathetically directed = to-this (vital matter. iSTo petty interests can be permitted to hinder the new order'coming into being, and the Wild Life Council invites the sincere co-operation of.' all towards a happier state of affairs under which those organisations and individuals who-in ;the past have given of their best can.each'be ranged in their proper places as .units in an effective campaign with one objective, viz.; "The "good of New Zealand."—l am, etc., ■ • '-<■". . '. .-' ;■:-.,-•■•■

■■■' -.A. LETCH HUNT. Chairman.'N.Z. Wild Life Council. March 28. . ' y . ■ .