RIFLE AMMUNITION

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 118, 12 February 1941, Page 8

RIFLE AMMUNITION

Release By Government To

Be Sought

NEEDED FOR RABBITS Dominion Special Service.

WANGANUI, February 1.1

Pressure on the Government to release small arms ammunition to deal witli railbits is being initiated by the Waitotara County Council. At today’s meeting tlie council appointed Councillors 11. Titter and G. Palmer a deputation to attend tomorrow's meeting of tlie Patca-Waitotara Rabbit Board and discuss means of taking concerted action.

At a previous meeting of I lie council Cr. Balmer reported that rabbits were becoming a menace to farmers in the Tokomaru district, but .22 ammunition was unprocurable. Shopkeepers informed him that the Government was withholding all supplies. The rabbit board was approached, ami at today’s council meeting a reply was read stating that Hie Government's action was a matter of policy. 'l'lie council's attitude, as defined at today's meeting, is that if ammunition were made available sportsmen would materially reduce the rabbits, which professional rabbiters were unable lo do. The chairman. Mr. W. Morrison, said county councils should join witli rabbit boards in bringing pressure to bear on tlie Government to make cheaper ammunition available ami to take more effective measures to deal with Hie rabbit menace. I'lifortunately local bodies could not agree among themselves on concerted action or on Hie best steps Jo take. LT. A. Winwood said that under present conditions it was costing more than :!/- for eaeli rabbit destroyed, and Hie increase was becoming serious.