RABBITSKINS

Evening Star, Issue 18717, 20 August 1924, Page 4

RABBITSKINS

FOURTEEN MILLIONS EXPORTED. FIGHT AGAINST THE PEST. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 19. The end of the winter of 1923 saw the rabbit pest considerably reduced in very many districts, and had systematic and simultaneous following up work boon the rule rabbits would not to-day bo in such largo numbers ns they aixn The winter was followed by ideal breeding conditions, and breeding continued practically rignt throughout the summer and early autumn months; and, although, on the whole, a good season for poisoning, it was nevertheless difficult to hold tho rabbits in check, and tho end of the year arrived with rabbits more numerous than was desirable. There is a genuine and praiseworthy desire on tho part of a considerable number of land occupiers to have rabbits reduced to a minimum, but unfortunately on the part of others there seems ah utter lack of any serious attempt at improvement; and this is greatly retarding the work of others and the efforts of the department. The high price of rabbitskina is still a marked factor in blocking the way to the improved conditions necessary, and undoubtedly tho effect of the trapping industry, combined with dilatory owners, unfinancial and bad farmers, is very largely responsible for retarding the increased production of live stock and live stock products, to tho extent of millions of pounds in value. Tho total value of the export trade in rabbits and their skins is scarcely half a million sterling, in spite of the high price of skins. Fourteen million rabbits supplied skins to that value. It is something to be able to hold our own against the extraordinary breeding propensities of the rabbit, but more progress than that is desired, and it is indisputable that tho work of eradication has been made much more difficult owing to the high commercial value attaching to the skins.