The Daily News. SATURDAY, APRIL 2. ACCLIMATISATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 353, 2 April 1910, Page 4

The Daily News. SATURDAY, APRIL 2. ACCLIMATISATION.

Nature is kind to almost every living thing, both animal and vegetable, that is imported into New Zealand. There is a weird desire among many people living in the Dominion to make this 'beautiful land look as unlike itself as possible. Millions of tons of native timber have gone up in smoke, and in innumerable eases farmers have planted imported trees as shelter for stock. Vandalism could go no further than it goes in a land whose natural beauties exceed those of any other country in the world. The acclimatisation societies of New Zealand have been largely responsible for making the Dominion look like "Home" and America, Switzerland, Norfolk Island, and several other countries. They are, of course, actuated by the very best motives, and tie results of their labor is seen in the enormous size of the trout, the immense spread of the horns of deer, the splendid perfection of imported game, and the rank growth of the imported tree. One of the results of making New .Zealand a sanctuary for foreign beasts, birds, and fishes is that they kill off the native fauna and flora. Many of our beautiful birds no longer exist, while the imported small bird thrives in millions, and is much more prolific than the natives he has eaten out, and a source of constant loss and irritation to farmers. New Zealand grows the largest imported stags on earth, and tourists come here to take heads Home to hang in their baronial halls. These large beasts—and among them are now included wapiti, chamois, moose, and other fleet-footed specimens are placed in sanctuaries, and are asked not to stray over the fence into the farmer's paddocks. Under the game laws the farmer j»ally should have a license before he dare to shoot the robbers of his paddocks. At any rate, if imported pests ftat him out he can move into the next province or take a shop or earn a living in some other way than from the land. As long as the tourist finds adequate sport the country seems to bo repaid. The Hon. Mr. Buddo has been asked and has consented to allow some species of imported game to lie shot during 1910, which was to have been a close season. Even acclimatisation societies have decided that the imported bird should be destroyed with more frequency: The apparent reluctance of the Minister io permit the slaughter of the wicked quail reminds us' that elaborate expeditions have been sent into the country to try to obtain specimens of the native huia. These expeditions have been without effect, and it may be concluded that the native bird is praeticallv wined out. The idea of carefully shepherding imported pests which have done incalculable damage in manv districts makes one wonder why Mr. Buddo was averse to the landing of some specimens of the felidae for Mr. Bovd's "zoo" at Wanganui. The population of New Zealand is too small. and the area of unworked country too great, for an effective svstem of pestdecimation to be carried out. Tt is only nece«sarv to refer to the damage done by the rabbit pest to show what a hold an imported animal mav obtain in this country. The rabbit has been persistently fought for years, and is still beiinr fousrht. with more or less success: and a time mav arrive when the Government will be verv glad to offer bonuses for the heads of manv of the depredators for which a short onen season has been reluctantly granted.