RABBITS AND HARES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 3, 3 July 1943, Page 4

RABBITS AND HARES

CARTRIDGES FOR FARMERS

"The rabbit and hare menace is increasing enormously, in this country and unless it is kept down we are going to have less production from our farm lands," said Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (Independent, Riccarton) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. Mr. Kyle inquired whether it would be possible to relax the restrictions on the sale of cartidges so as to make them available to farmers. . The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. Parry): The shooters keep the rabbits and hares down more than the farmers themselves. Mr. Kyle said that the shooters went out in fine weather only, and their activities were also restricted because of lack of petrol and tyres for their; cars. There were not many whoj "padded the hoof" today. j The Minister of Supply (Mr. Sullivan) said that some of the components for the manufacture of cartridges had to be imported, and the difficulty was in getting those components because the supply authorities had laid it down that they would only make them, available fqr defence purposes. Mr. Kyle said he realised the problem, but sometimes farmers got a little bit annoyed*when, although they themselves could not get cartridges, they saw a motor-car arrive with a party to shoot ducks on their property. The Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) said be thought it would be possible to deal with the question now that the production of ammunition had reached a large volume. Mr. Kyle: With that assurance I shall be perfectly satisfied. ;