All to whom wild Nature is one of the greatest glories of the Earth,all who know its higher significance for civilized man to-day, and allwho consequently prize it as an heirloom for posterity, are asked tohelp in keeping the animal life of Labrador from being wantonly doneto death.
There is nothing to cause disagreement among the three main classes ofpeople most interested in wild life—the men whose business depends inany way on animal products, the sportsmen, and the Nature-lovers ofevery kind. There are very good reasons why the general public shouldsupport the scheme. And there are equally good reasons why it shouldbe induced to do so by simply telling it the truth about the senselessextermination that is now going on.
Every reader can help by spreading some knowledge of the subject inhis or her home circle. Canada, like all free countries, is governedby public opinion. And sound public opinion, like all other goodthings, should always begin at home.
The Press can help, as it has helped many another good cause, bygiving the subject full publicity. Free use can be made of the presentpaper in any way desired. It is left non-copyright for this verypurpose.
Experts can help by pointing out mistakes, giving information, andmaking suggestions of their own. And if any of them will undertake tolead, the present author will undertake to follow.
It is proposed to issue a supplement in 1912, containing all theadditional information collected in the mean time. Every such item ofinformation will be duly credited to the person supplying it.
All correspondence should be addressed—
COLONEL WOOD,
59, Grande Allée, Quebec.
MR. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN:—
To be quite honest I must begin by saying that I am not a scientificexpert on either animals, sanctuaries or Labrador. But, by way ofexcusing my temerity, I can plead a life-long love of animals, a gooddeal of experience and study of them—especially down the Lower St.Lawrence, and considerable attention to sanctuaries in general andtheir suitability to Labrador in particular. Moreover, I can pleadthis most pressingly important fact, that a magnificent opportunity isfast slipping away before our very eyes there, without a single effortbeing made to seize it. I have repeatedly discussed the question withthose best qualified to give sound advice—with naturalists,explorers, missionaries, fishermen, furriers, traders, hunters,sportsmen, and many who are accustomed to look ahead into the higherdevelopment of our public life. I have also read the books, papers andreports written from up-to-date and first-hand knowledge. And, thoughI have been careful to consult men who regard such questions from verydifferent points of view, and books showing quite as wide a generaldivergence, I have found a remarkable consensus of opinion