RABBIT NUISANCE

Evening Post, Volume C, Issue 112, 8 November 1920, Page 4

RABBIT NUISANCE

POWERS OF.PROSECUTION.

When the Rabbit Nuisance Amendment Bill was considered by the\ House of"Representatives in Committee on Saturday, Mr. C. E. iStatham (Dunedin Central) moved to amend' section 2 of the 1918 Act so that the decision as to whether proper steps had been taken-to destroy rabbits should hot rest solely with the inspector. He argued that the present law, under which it "was necessary only for an inspector, to say that the law had not been.complied with'to secure a conviction, was contrary to the principles of British justice.

The Minister for Agriculture (Hon. W. Nosworthy) said that the Department did not institute proceedings until "the fullest investigations had been made; but he'was convinced that it ivas necessary to have the powers given by the section referred to.

Southland "members pressed, for a change in the law. The Minister said he was not going to give away one iota of the pdwer which the Department at present possessed for dealing effectually with this .serions menaced If it was necessary for him to give up the Bill he would regret it, because it had been asked for all over the country. After lengthy discussion, the Minister said he would agree to provision being inserted that before prosecutions were instigated thoy would require to be reported by two intiiectors to him and authorised by* him. On this understanding, Sir. Statliam withdrew his amendment.

The Bill was then lyiul a. third tiiiMs and passed.