RABBIT CONTROL

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23845, 14 January 1943, Page 2

RABBIT CONTROL

* GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL CRITICISED Rabbit control was discussed at a meeting of the Teinuka branch 6f the Farmers’ Union. The meeting decided that while it had no objection to the formation of rabbit boards in areas where rabbits are a menace, it could not support the Government in its proposal to deal with the menace by the formation of rabbit boards throughout the country. While speaking to his motion "that the executive support the Government in the establishment of rabbit control boards throughout the country.” Mr W. Buchan said that a committee had been formed to arrange for the formation of a rabbit board in the Rangitata-Orari district. Thirtylive persons had been present at the meeting at Rangitata when it had been decided to circulate a petition for the formation of a board. Good support was being received ,and the petition would be presented to the Government when the permission of 50 per cent, of the ratepayers had been obtained. The boundary mapped out was roughly from a little north of the Rangitata river to an area south of the Oran river, and extended from the Mount Peel Station to the sea, taking in approximately 100,000 acres. It was proposed to rate on an acreage basis, which would work out at an estimated cost of 3d or 4d an acre.

It was stated that the Government had set aside £30,000 to subsidise rabbit boards in the Dominion, and if a board was not formed in this district, other districts would get the money and South Canterbury would have the rabbits. Rabbits were undoubtedly becoming a serious menace in the country, and individual farmers could get neither rabbiters nor ammunition to cope with them. Rabbiters employed by the board would receive £5 5s a week and rabbiting would be declared an essential industry. No one could estimate the damage done by rabbits, and in these days, it was essential that the country should have every ounce of production possible, said Mr Buchan. Preferential Rating

In answer to Mr T. Symes, Mr Buchan said that the rating would been a preferential scale. Farmers with fewer rabbits and little cover would be on a smaller rate. Mr A. E. Dobson said that they had to view the scheme from the point of view of the Farmers’ Union. They were asked to give their support to a scheme already well under way, and to which many members of the union were opposed. It was contrary to the policy of the Farmers' Union to bring in Government control. If the Government was going to the extent of 50 per cent, subsidy, 90 per cent, control would be wanted. Mr Buchan replied that full control was in the hands of the boards. There was only one Government representative on each board.

Mr Mulligan said that the organisation shohld not commit itself in the matter. The selling up of the boards was most democratic, but there wore many farmers in the district who would have to pay out money for nothing. Mr J. Macaulay moved an amendment “that while no objection could bo raised to the information of rabbit control boards in areas where rabbits were a menace, members considered that it should be left to individual areas to decide the matter as they thought fit.”

On being put to the meeting the amendment was carried by an overwhelming majority.

A comprehensive review of appeals for Grade 1 men that have been adjourned sine die, and have been outstanding for more than six months is being made by the No. 1 Armed Forces Appeal Board in Christchurch. Appeals that have befn adjourned sine die are liable to review every six months. When the board has finished its review, it will begin public hearings of appeals for men called in recent ballots.