FOR THE SAKE OF THE BIRDS

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 73, 27 March 1934, Page 8

FOR THE SAKE OF THE BIRDS

(To the Editor.) Si, r '~Tlje doings 6i the New Zealand JSirtt Protection Society are of such public interest that I call the attention of your readers to the following facts. With the voting paper for the election of office bearers of the society 'for the ensuing year I have received a circular from Mr. E. V. Sanderson, the founder and1 president, asking members directly to vote for himself as president and for candidates named by him, as members of the council, on the ground that "the society and its funds are in grave danger" and by inference that the election of the candidates whom the members are asked to reject, ,Mr ; Johannes. C. Andersen for. president, !and Mr, Andersen and Mr. W. K. B. Oliver as members of the co'uricil will lead to "this-important structure and its funds'. "being turned into au organisation for the benefit of a very few and in a different direction from its past."- In an addendum to that circularythe members °f the ' ticket",, he-puts forward 'announce their intention, of supporting 'himV '' ■ Not only; will-, members/of.-the 'society resent this:■ attempt. to, influence their vote_ accompanying the ballot 'paper, and the imputation cast, upon the two'gentlemen whom; we'are asked, to turn down, and who. are:,well knowni as /among the present advocates for the preservation of our forest and bird life, but it-seems to me probable;that the- procedure of the president r wiH render an election; under the circumstances described-invalid. ■ There is also/ I believe,: an omission in the information given in the'voting: paper. I understand that a rule of.\the: society prevents more than two. civil servants being .officers of the society at the same time. The names of three, however,- appear on the voting paper for the council without any intimation being given to the voters of this regulation.—l am, etc;, :: " H. F. YON TTAART. . -

Captain! Sanderson, when the above letter was referred .to him, said that there was. no intention on his part that' his personal letter to_ members should have accompanied the -voting paper. This was a mistake rectified. after, only a very small number of voting papers had been posted^ '.:■■'- As to the election of not ■ more than two civil servants, ' although only two can be elected, any number can be nominated, the two receiving the highest votes, if no other candidate receives more, being elected. ;■ -

Captain Sanderson regrets that there are good grounds for the statements criticised in his letter to members, but expresses gratitude to Mr. yon Haast (although he differs from him) for giving extra publicity to the election. Captain Sanderson trusts that such interest will bo aroused as will cause a big. vote.