CO885-(21-23) — Page 625

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

CO. 885

23 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

10

The Committee, which was presided over by Mr. E. S. Montagu, M.P., Under- Secretary of State for India, was only able to meet at comparatively long intervals, but evidence was taken not only from representatives of the trade, but also from other well-known persons interested in the subject.

The Committee has now addressed to the Secretary of State for the Colonies a report, expressing the unanimous opinion that it is eminently desirable that all practicable measures should be taken for the suppression of the traffic in the feathers of those species of birds which are now destroyed merely for the sake of their plumage, and that the only thoroughly satisfactory method of attaining this end is to secure an international agreement by which the importation of such feathers will be prohibited by all civilised countries, except when they are introduced for bonâ fide scientific purposes."

The Committee, during the course of their deliberations, were fully aware of the negotiations undertaken by this Department in 1909, but they state that, since that time, they have been led to suppose that public opinion on the Continent is becoming more alive to this question, and as evidence thereof they adduce a resolution adopted at the International Ornithological Congress, held in 1910, in the following

terms :-

The International Ornithological Congress, representing the ornitho- logical science of all countries, pronounces it to be an absolute necessity that measures be taken forthwith for the protection of birds, especially those which are persecuted for millinery purposes.

The different Governments will have to decide about the special rules and laws which should be passed to gain this object.

The Officers of the Congress are asked to take the necessary steps to bring about an international understanding, determining the best methods to adopt to protect all birds, especially those which are persecuted for their feathers, or in an irrational way.

The Committee, therefore, urge that another attempt should be made by His Majesty's Government to convoke an international conference, and consider that the protocol signed by the British, Russian, Japanese, and United States delegates at the International Fur Seal Conference in 1911, and containing certain suggestions for international action in regard to the preservation of plumage birds, provides a suitable opportunity for reopening the subject. The Committee suggest that if a conference is summoned His Majesty's Government should endeavour to secure an agreement on the following lines:-

(a) The importation of the skins and feathers of birds (other than ostrich feathers, eiderdown, and such other feathers as it may be considered desirable or unobjectionable to except) should be prohibited by every country taking part in the Conference.

(b) An exception should be made in the case of skins required for bonâ fide

scientific purposes.

The right to import for such purposes should, however, be confined to institutions or persons to whom the Government of the country into which the skins are imported has granted a special permit, which should only be given on the recommendation of a committee of ornithologists representing the national museums.

(e) Each Government taking part in the Conference should undertake to legislate for the prohibition of the export of skins and feathers from the countries and territories under its control, subject to the exceptions specified above.

Acting on the recommendations of the Committee, I have decided to ascertain whether the convocation of an International Conference would now be practicable, but in view of the important interests of France in the plumage trade, it is desirable, if not essential, to obtain, if possible, the support of the French Government before making proposals to other Powers. Careful consideration has, in this connection, been given to Your Excellency's despatch, No. 93, Commercial, of the 12th March last, in which you reported the reply returned by the Minister of Commerce to a question put to him in the Chamber of Deputies on this subject, and I fully realise the considerations which may make it difficult for the French Government to return a favourable reply to His Majesty's Government's suggestions.

I have, however, undertaken to place the matter once again before the French Government, and request that Your Excellency will inform them accordingly. Your Excellency should express the hope that in spite of their previous decision they may

11

now see their way to co-operate in the work of a conference which His Majesty's Government desire to convoke, and you should impress upon them the great import- ance attached by His Majesty's Government to action being taken without delay in order to prevent the extermination of certain valuable species of birds which are in imminent danger of extinction.

I am, &c.,

His Excellency the

35243

Right Honourable Sir F. Bertie, G.C.B., G.C.M.G.,

&c., &c.,

&c.

No. 7.

FOREIGN OFFICE to COLONIAL OFFICE.

(Received 7 November, 1912.)

E. GREY.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs presents his compliments to the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies, and, by direction of the Secretary of State, transmits herewith copy of a despatch from His Majesty's Minister at Caracas, No. 42, Commercial, dated October 11, respecting the plumage traffic (egret trade in Orinoco Basin).

Reference to previous letter: From Colonial Office, August 15 (25140/1912).* Foreign Office,

November 7, 1912.

(Similar letter sent to India Office, Home Office, Board of Agriculture and Board of Trade.)

(No. 42. Commercial.)

Enclosure in No. 7.

SIR,

Caracas, October 11th, 1912. I HAVE the honour to enclose a translation of a portion of a letter published lately in a local paper, dated Puerto Nutrias, September 2nd, a small township on the Apure, much afflicted by malaria.

As regards the slaughter of egrets the correspondent's comments are of some interest, in view of the contradictory evidence tendered by interested parties before the Select Committee of the House of Lords in 1908, on the Importation of Plumage Bill.

In

The same paper stated in July, 1909, that the President of the State of Guárico had decreed that" the extraction of egret feathers must in future be effected without any injury to the egrets, by means appropriate to the industry," and that the heavy tax on the exploitation of “Garceros" (heronries) in that State was abolished. a circular dated December 27th, 1909, sent by the Minister of Development to the Presidents of the States of Apure, Guárico, Cojedes, Portuguesa and Zamora, the Minister recommended, in view of the incessant and unmethodical manner of hunting egrets, which would soon occasion the total destruction of the Garceros,' amongst other measures, the absolute prohibition of the hunting of egrets with fire-arms, and in general of all those means which tend to the destruction of those birds in the period of their laying their eggs or rearing their young."

I do not know what action was taken in the matter by the States concerned.

**

The prices for egret feathers this year are, I am informed, the highest on record; they are, in fact, far more valuable than gold.

A gentleman who lived many years in the Orinoco region tells me that the natives used formerly to catch the egrets alive in the following ingenious manner. A number of calabashes were placed on the water in the swampy ground frequented by the birds, and after the latter had become used to them, the Indians would creep into

20938

• No. 4.

3 2