THE VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 175 



THE ADVISABILITY OF PETITIONING THE GOVERN- 

 MENT TO IMPOSE A GUN TAX. 



By A. J. Campbell, F.L.S. 



(Head before the Field Naturalists' Club of Victoria, 8th 

 February, 1892.; 



The imposition of a gun tax has for some time been simmering 

 in my mind. Last September I casually mentioned the subject 

 to our Premier, the Hon. James Munro, He was perfectly in 

 accord with the idea, and requested that a written communication 

 should be sent him in the matter. 



Although according to our articles as a club we exist for dis- 

 cussing subjects on natural history, for promoting observations 

 in the field, &c , I think it is not beyond the province of this 

 society to take a broader platform, if need be, in order to per- 

 form any signal good, such as being the means of promoting useful 

 legislation. 



Without further introduction, I apprehend there are three prin- 

 cipal reasons why a gun tax should be imposed, namely : — First, 

 it would be a just source of revenue ; second, would lead to the 

 better protection of native fauna ; and third, would be the saving 

 of many human limbs and lives. 



1. As a source of revenue. — A nominal gun tax may be deemed 

 just. A person cannot cut timber in any State forest or Crown 

 lands without a license, nor can he prospect the same for gold or 

 other mineral without a right ; then why should he be allowed, 

 even for sport, to shoot wallabies or pigeons in these domains 

 without permit ? Many other tangible reasons may be cited, and 

 no genuine sportsman would object to be thus taxed. 



2. The better protection of native fauna. — I think our indigenous 

 birds and animals would undoubtedly secure better protection 

 under a gun tax system, because one of the provisions of such an 

 act would be to limit the age at which a youth could carry a 

 gun. Certainly much native game is ruthlessly destroyed by 

 thoughtless youths, who, it might be said to their credit, are 

 not at all impartial in their dealings ; for, alas ! too frequently 

 they " pot" themselves instead of their game. This brings me to 

 my last and most important reason. 



3. The saving of limbs and many useful lives. — Just read the 

 list of shocking gun accidents that occurred during the late 

 Christmas and New Year holidays, as detailed in the daily 

 newspapers. I shall only touch upon three given in a single 

 issue : — 



