Opossum Control

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29891, 3 August 1962, Page 10

Opossum Control

ibZ Press Association, WELLINGTON. August 1 The damage done by rabbits cost New Zealand tar more in the loss of overseas earnings than the amount represented by the importation of fur coats sa’d the Minister of Forests <Mr Gerard) in the House of Rep. resentatives todav He was replying to a first -eadir.s discussion on the Noxious Animal* Amendment Rill Mr W A Shear ’Government. Egm on t» askd vhethet ft was intended ’o make tt mandatory for rabbit boa-ds to assume -e«pon=ihilitv for th? control nf opossums Mr N A Kirk (Opposition Lyttelton) asked whether it was envisased that the npos«um should be devalued in the same wav as the rabbet He suggested that if rabbit board* only were allowed to market oooe«um *kms It wo”'d re’-eve the rates “We are bema invited to support something which al! the Government members do not mnport” he seid The bill prohibits ‘be s_ie or export for sale of opossum

sk.ns from a date to be fixed by proclamation It also prohibits the keeping of deer, wapiti thar or chamois except under a permit issued by the Director-General of Forests Mr Gerard said the devaluation of opos«um skins would not take place until a much better coverage of opossum erad’cation had been provided by the Rabbit Destruction Council It was thought by the council that the date of ’he proclamation bringing the act into force would not be before April 1. 1964 Gourmets* Dinner To show that New Zealand food is up to an international standard the Auckland Advertising Club will hold a special gourmet dinner next week The Minister of Customs <Mr Shelton) and 85 couples will sit down to a dinner of Auckland rock oysters. a consomme, a steak with exotic sauce, and a cheese platter followed by a sweet