OPOSSUM REVENUE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1931, Page 5

OPOSSUM REVENUE

Opossums figured pominently in the Committee discussion on the I inance Bill No. 2 in the House early on li iddav morning. Exception was taken to the clause which had the effect of providing that the revenue from opossums be applied to the destruction of deer, thus restricting the amount of funds available to acclimatisation societies, freeing the Govennent from the responsibility of providing deer destiaction funds from their own resources The hope time the clause would be rejected was expressed by Mr H. E Holland (Leader of the Labour Paitj), who said the acclimatisation societies had not introduced deer, and should not be penalised on account of them. The Prime Minister said the societies received £9366 annually lor game licenses, £1307 fees for deer shooting and £4695 lor opossums. li was desired to tackle the deer question and it was proposed to devote the opossum money to that purpose. The Minister for Internal Affairs would make the allocations.

“Deer destruction is the Government’s rcsonsibility,” said Mr T. D Burnett (R., Tenmlca). “Why does tin* Government not do it on its own, in stead of poaching on the struggling societies ?”

Mr Forbes: If we had the money we would do it.

After further discussion the clause was retained by 30 votes to 26.