RABBIT PEST.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20622, 11 August 1932, Page 5

RABBIT PEST.

NEED FOR CONTROL. DEPARTMENTS HELP COMMENDED. The Agricultural Department's-recog-nition of tho fact that runholders must be assisted to control the rabbit pest is commended in the annual report of the Canterbury Sheepowners' Union, which was adopted at the annual meeting last night.' "It will be obvious that with wool at its present level of price a ™*gj"» especially the occupier of Crown -leap* holds, not only finds it ™V™*£ * pay rent," states the report, "but unless some assistance is PJ»» J* J*J Government, will not be ft Me to deal efficiently with the rabbit pest on this class of country. • "The executive wishes to express its appreciation of the good work done by the officers of the Agricultural and Lands Departments in and it is gratifying to find that the , Government Departments concerned realise that should the Crown lands re-i vert to rabbits and deer without adequate control, the Government itself will require to shoulder the responsibility of keeping this class of country free from pests at the expense of the general taxpayer. The executive will do its utmost to obtain relief in this connexion as far as possible, and in view of the ultimate liability which will require to be borne by the Crown for-country abandoned by Crown tenants and others, it would appear justifiable for funds provided by the public for unemployment relief to be as far as may be deemed advisable for this purpose. An Extra Subsidy. "As a result of representations made, additional assistance has been arranged for with regard to labour for rabbit poisoning on high country. An additional subsidy on wages paid and cost of food has been arranged for, the men to be engaged from the local Government Labour Bureau in each district, the equipment and overseeing to be the responsibility of the runholder.- Assistance along the lines suggested will be greatly appreciated by farmers under present conditions."