Acclimatization - learning the lessons of more than a century ago

In 1879, the Prospectus of the N.S.W Acclimatization Society proclaimed:

That the Society shall immediately on its formation make arrangements for the procuring from Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America the Animals and Birds most sought after in the Colony either as Game to give sport or as songsters to enliven our bush homes...That application be made to the Government for the proclamation of certain Reserves in the different districts of the Colony, which Reserves shall be under the control of the Society for the purpose of Acclimatization and preserving their imported Animals and Birds;"

 It seems we haven't learned that much in the intervening 130 years.  The current proposal by the N.S.W Shooter's Party is remarkably similar to the 1879 acclimatizer's creed.  

The Victorian's were a little ahead of N.S.W in terms of acclimatization.  The Colony's Governor, his Excellency Sir Henry Barkly said in 1862 that he was coming around to the idea that Monkey acclimatization could be a good thing "for the amusement of the wayfarer whom their gambols would delight as he lay under some gum tree in the forest on a sultry day".  Sir Henry was, however, firmly against the acclimatization of boa constrictors, and he expressed relief that one had died on its trip from the Cape of Good Hope.

Sir Henry's successor, Governor Darling begged to differ.  He did not like monkeys "but I have no objection whatever to boa constrictors" he told the Society.  He was impressed with the drawing room antics of a pet boa constrictor, which would rear its head over the top of a piano and be the object of much curiosity, despite causing some initial alarm.  Indeed, Governor Darling advised the Society that it "is not wise to determine against the introduction of any species of snake".

The Shooter's Party wants to introduce pheasants for recreational shooting in N.S.W Game Reserves.  Pheasants caused no problems really in the first seven years they were in California. Until they hit the rice industry.  Then they became a significant problem costing farmers (not those that introduced them) lots of angst.  

It is easy to joke about acclimatization a century later, with the benefit of hindsight.  Today's politicians have the opportunity to apply foresight to this issue and avoid future bloggers having a laugh at their expense.  It seems an extraordinary legacy for a politician to want to leave.