THE OPOSSUM INDUSTRY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1929, Page 4

THE OPOSSUM INDUSTRY

HOPEFUL OUTLOOK FOR FAVOURABLE GOVERNMENT ACTION.

In the 1 course of a letter to tho Westland Aieclimatisation Society', which asked Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., to make representations to the Government regarding the liberation of opossums in South Westland to establish the industry there, the v Member ' for Westland replies:—’/ •' “Your- letter of the 6th inst. ‘to hand. 1 will immediately take, up the matter of liberation of more ooossums in Westland with the Ministers concerned, and so? what I can dov During the: last three*weeks T have discussed this question with the Minister of Forestry, and the Minister of, Internal Affairs, and from conversations I have 'had ■ with thehon.\gentlemen,-

I, am convinced they are - not very. - 'hostile to the proposal to 'liberate, mom opossums. It seems the' most of the objections come from the , *’ Tourist Department. However, -I •. will let you know when I get the ..

information.” '•••' In a further letter, Mr O’Brien;: writes on a subsequent date ns fol---. lows:— - r 1 “Further to my previous letter,.:. I have interviewed the Minister 0f,., Internal Affairs, and he assured mo , ~ that he is (preparing regulation* for the liberation. of opossums • iiv • New Zealand. The reason the ; v. eration of opossums was ;lield UP,':- . was because the Society .for thpr. Protection of .Native. Birds .had.;P!- ' leged bird-life' was being destroyed by the opossums'. However,; an, os-.. . animation- of the - stomachs of -W. opossums showed no ■trace .of • e eating ctf birds'bv these- /mimals. “The Minister'further '.'informed me that he .was estimate of the amount\of assistance., the Government null give .to Soc--1 ieties for the liberation/of opossums.” ■