Letters: Man of the Year (Cont'd)

(5 of 5)

I do not desire to belittle Mrs. Schroeder's gracious act, but it should be understood that the importance of preserving Australia's native fauna is not being overlooked. In New South Wales the Native Bird and Animal Protection Act enforces regulations which permit our native bears to live in their natural state. Their preservation is receiving careful official attention, with sympathetic co-operation on the part of landowners. In other States of the Commonwealth of Australia the enforcement of animal and bird preservation laws is equally effective. The native bear is in evidence throughout Eastern Australia, from Queensland to Victoria.

It is interesting to learn, through Mr. Noel Burnet, that "few American visitors would fail to give everything they possess to take back to the States a real live 'Teddy Bear,' " and that "alas, that cannot be." Does Mr. Burnet desire to grant American tourists freedom to deplete Australian forests of this rare animal? Australians might welcome the opportunity to obtain "everything they possess," but not at the expense of losing their koalas.

If Mrs. Schroeder visits Australia this kind-hearted lady will see Phascolarctos cinereus— to use our native bear's true name—enjoying full freedom of action on our eucalyptus trees. She will see the platypus, the lyrebird, the kookaburra, and many other interesting specimens of animal and bird life, displaying an arrogance not surprising in creatures so kindly regarded by a considerate Government and a sentimental people.

DAVID M. DOW

Official Secretary for Australia in the U. S. A. New York City

Satisfied that Australia is well able to take care of its wild koalas, TIME nevertheless has forwarded Mrs. Schroeder's $50 to distressed Noel Burnet's koala farm, will do the same for any other koala philanthropist.—ED.