OPOSSUMS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1928, Page 4

OPOSSUMS

A MENACE TO BIRD LIFE? GOVERNMENT HAS DOUBTS. WELLINGTON, July 25. Sir Maui Form;re (Acting-Minister lor Internal Affairs) stated in the House to-day that from information received from a variety of sources it would appear that opossums are inimical, either directly or indirectly, to bird life, • and the Government does not feel justified, on the information at present obtainable, in authorising the liberation of the animals in any further areas. The matter is, however, being further considered. The statement i.s apropos of Mr Seddon’s question, why permission has been refused to procure and liberate opossums in parts of "Westland in spite of the fact that the local branches of the Farmers’ Union and the Forestry Department are in favour of such distribution. Mr F. Waite (Clutlia) said that there were thousands of opossums on the West Coast, yet, so far as he knew, there was no decrease in the number > of birds in the bush. Mr Parry: Absolutely hone. Mr Waite added that in spite of the opossums in Otago and Southland there were more 'bell birds in the bush than there had been for years. No doubt the Bird Protection Society was doing good work, but iri this matter they were doing a grievous injury to New Zealand. The opossum industry was going to be one of the biggest industries in this country, especially on poor lands, where there was bush. On tho west coast of Otago and Southland the elk and moose were protected, yet they did far more damage to Hie bush than the opossums. / Moreover, the opossum industry was carried on in fhe winter when there was a dearth of employment. The skins would he always in demand. Furs would never go out of fashion. They were the first clothing that man and woman ever had. An lion, member: No, fig leaves 1 ( Mr Waite: I bow to the honorable gentleman’s knowledge, but furs were tho first clothing primitive man and woman wore. Mr Seddon said it was incredible that the Government had taken shell action. On the West Coast bird life was not decreasing. Mr -Hockley (Rotorua) expressed a contrary opinion. He said opossums would be a very great menace. They would lie in the same position with opossums a.s they had been with deer arid rabbits. Opossums would cause terrible annoyance and loss.