SHOOTING DISPUTE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 May 1943, Page 4

SHOOTING DISPUTE

TROUBLE OVER AMMUNITION & LICENCES POSITION IN THE WAIR&A DISTRICT. GUN CLUB SUPPORTS MINISTER. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WAIROA, This Day. Strong support is forthcoming from the local gun club for the decision of the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Parry) to issue '•ammunition only to those holding licences, despite the fact that Maoris are still holding to their resolution to close the lakes on which game is most plentiful. It has been suggested that the present action will force the Government to compel all persons possessing guns to take out a licence, thus putting them on the same footing as those who have done so for years past. The action of the Natives and farmers is strongly criticised by the local club. It has been alleged by one leading official that the reason for a shortage of ammunition on the part of some persons this year is due to their having failed to honour the Department’s decision to declare last season closed. It is claimed that in the past not only did landowners shoot game on their properties without taking out a licence, but all their employees did so also. This is considered Unfair, as the people concerned did little or nothing towards assisting to rear birds.

Figures supplied disclose that over the past, three years the Department liberated approximately 500 pheasants in this district. In addition Wairoa Club members cared for, reared and protected many hundreds more, which have now been liberated on the properties closed by their owners. Reports on the present season show that game is more plentiful than for the past 20 years, and despite the closing of the Whakaki and Frau lakes—the two largest in the district —record bags have been taken on the waters still remaining open. One party of five has already taken over 200 birds.

The ammunition shortage is now keenly felt and it is doubtful if many more birds will be taken before May 15. Up to the present, the Ministerial party is not known to be in this district and endeavours are to be made by the local club to get into contact with Mr Parry.