NO CARTRIDGES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 April 1943, Page 4

NO CARTRIDGES

UNLESS LANDHOLDERS TAKE OUT LICENCES

PROTESTS IN WAIROA DISTRICT.

FARMERS & MAORIS TO CLOSE SHOOTING AREAS.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

WAIROA, This Day.

Direct action was decided on at yesterday’s meeting of the local Farmers’ Union against the alleged unjust distribution of ammunition for the shooting season. It had been stated recently by a local representative acting for the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Parry) that landholders who were not compelled to take out a licence would come into the distribution of ammunition available. As a result of this statement, a number of landholders, including a large percentage of Maoris, called at the distributing office yesterday, where they were informed that they must take out a licence before receiving any cartridges. This the Natives considered a breach of faith. They held a meeting immediately and decided to prohibit shooting over the areas they control. The Maoris in this district hold rights over a large majority of the shooting areas, with the result that those holding a licence will be debarred tomorrow from shooting game in all the places where it is likely that a large number of ducks will be found.

Later a deputation of Natives waited on a meeting of farmers which was being held and placed its complaint before them. As a result of discussion it was decided to approach Mr Parry at once and to inform him that unless the order for landholders to take out a licence before securing ammunition was cancelled all farmers will prohibit shooting over their properties. Last night the Deputy-Mayor, Mr M. J. Gemmell, who undertook the distribution on the request of the Minister, telephoned the Minister's secretary and placed the position before him. The secretary replied that the Department was determined to stand behind the instructions issued and that landholders must take out licences in order to secure ammunition. This means that if the resolutions carried by the farmers and Maoris are put into operation there will be practically no shooting in the Wairoa district tomorrow, despite the fact that game appears to be more plentiful than for years past.

An interesting disclosure at the farmers’ meeting yesterday was a statement that Messrs Parry, Webb and Semple were coming to the Wairoa district for the shooting. If so and the farmers and Maoris stand behind their decision, the problem facing the Ministerial party will be where they are going to shoot.