THE WOOL RABBIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 75, 29 March 1928, Page 15

THE WOOL RABBIT.

N.Z. TO CULTIVATE IT.

AUCKLAND FORMS FIRST CLTJB

"The annual wool clip of a modern Angora rabbit is worth a guinea," said the chairman of a meeting of small farmers in the Auckland Chamber of Com-

merce last evening.

"An acre of average land," he continued, "will produce all the hay and greenery for over 150 rabbits. A woman can manage 300 rabbits, and a married couple can manage a thousand. Imported Angoras will cost at least £4

each landed, and their progeny will be saleable in New Zealand to wool producers at £2 a head for many years to come. There is a glorious prospect of prosperity for New Zealand smallholders in Angora wool production, and no reasonable limit to the market. There is no menace to agriculture because these rabbits are kept in confinement. They are too valuable to let loose and too tame and helpless and conspicuous to survive half a day if one escaped. The industry is the most promising thing within the reach of New Zealanders for many decades past."

The meeting, which was very enthusiastic, formed an Auckland branch of the proposed Industrial Rabbit Club of New Zealand, with Mr. V. A. Ryder, of 23, Mountain Road, Mount Albert, as secretary. It will organise branches throughout New Zealand and establish a big co-operative movement to improve the wool qualities and market the clip of the animals used. The valuable fur varieties will also be developed.

One of the club's officers will visit Great Britain next, month, investigate the British methods, and possibly arrange purchases of improved stock for members.

Mr. Ryder stated that though New Zealn ;I was first in the field with this movement south of the line, .we were being beaten by .Australii , where farmers and the Government were co-opera-ting and sending an expert abroad to investifc.. The Austra. ..us were so conlident that they proposed establish rabbit warrens in the open on poor, worthless land with the valuable fur breeds. They were a'so arranging to import into Australia black faces and other fur animals of great value, recognising the immense revenue it represented. . c New Zealand club, on the other h .nd, only asked for permission to keep rabbits in confinement. They were being hampered by an obsolete law which forbade importations and serious delay was being experienced in getting this difficulty removed.

It .is stated during the meeting that one Mangere smallhold r had sown down twelve acres of In nie fc. rabbit farming. Many others are operating with flocks of the unprofitable local Angoras.

The Auckland club intends to hold nonthly meetings and develop the in-;u>'-y \vit!i all speed.