MINISTER’S REBUKE

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1925, Page 1

MINISTER’S REBUKE

DILATORY SOCIETIES'. ' AVELLINGTON, February 24. A general admonition to acclimatisation societies to pay more attention to their duties was given by the Minister of Internal Affairs, the lion. R. F. Bollard, when replying to a deputation from the New Zealand Acclimatisation Societies’ Association today.

" There are some societies which call themselves Acclimatisation Societies,” said the Minister, “hut really I do not know what they are.” Mr Bollard said he felt it would be almost the best tmng to wipe some of them -out. Oft the other hand there were other societies which were doing good work and to whom certain discretionary powers could he given.

The subject arose when the Minister was asked by the deputation to see that drafts of all regulations were submitted to societies interested before they were gazetted.

Mr Bolard said that there were some societies which replied promptly to communications' sent to them, hut there were others from whom no replies could he got at all. The treatment of the Department was so unfair that sometimes they felt like saying, “ AVe have done with you.” Mr G. AA’. M’lntosh (Tauranga). a member of the deputation, remarked that some societies had difficulty in getting meetings. The Minister: AA’oil, they should not call themselves societies.

Mr Frank Dyer (Wellington): T’iiey are mere rod and gun clubs. The Minister: AA’o communicate with them in January in each year, but never get any reply. However, as soon as anything is done that does not suit them the fat is in the fire and they are on to us.

Mr L. O. If. Tripp, president of the association, said that the association would send circulars to all societies asking them, to he prompt in replying to .Departmental enquiries. “AVhat I want you people to do is to stir up some of these acclimatisation societies who seem to have gone to sleep,” remarked the Minister just before the deputation withdrew. “If they are going to remain as acclimatisation societies they should do their work and not he merely rod and gun clubs. It will help us considerably.” The Minister said that when the Department sought the opinions of societies it- wanted to hear from the majority, not the minority.