The Ensign. GORE: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5. THE RABBIT TRADE.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1145, 5 February 1903, Page 2

The Ensign. GORE: THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5. THE RABBIT TRADE.

Some important developments have recently ootne to pass in connection with the rabbit trade so far as Southland is concerned. Not only is there a Trappers' Union in full swing, but a co-operative association of trappers has been formed, which has taken over a fairly extensive rabbit export businesß in the Western district. At present the two organisations are hotly competing with each other for support, and it appears likely that between them they will shortly secure control if the whole output. Several aspects of an important question are brought to light in this matter, not the least significant being the fact that though the authorities of the Agricultural Department have viewed the whole industry with disfavor from its inception, the trade has been placed upon a more solid foundation than ever before, owing to the trappers themselves having been induced to . hazard substantial monetary considerations upon the expectation of its permanence. This of itself presupposes that the rabbit, like the poor, is destined ever to be with us, and the assumption that the complete eradication of the pest could be accomplished must be deemed to have been based upon fallacious premises. In theory, of course, the entire extinction of rabbits is most desirable, but in practice it has proved that so long as they are kept below the limit known technically as the " pest-point" no untoward results to the agricultural and pastoral interests are likely to follow. As a matter of faot the most approved methods of rabbit destruction employed under the auspices of the Agricultural Department have proved no more effective than the system in vogue in Southland. Therefore it is no heresy to pronounce approval upon the means for coping with the pest which serve another purpose at the same time, viz., in the direction of maintaining a source of very considerable revenue to the district. The only question for determination in the near future, it appears to us, is ■whether the landowners whose properties are directly responsible for the creation of that revenue are likely to continue in an attitude of masterly indifference, while the trappers are banding themselves together in various organisations for the purpose oi securing still greater profits from the trade. Experience of human nature suggests that they will not, although so far no suggestion has been made openly that they will step in and obtain a share of the spoil. Hitherto the landowners have been content to get their winter trapping done free of cost to themselves, and the fact that they held no monetary interest in the " catch" {beyond the advantage of having their ground cleared) has frequently been urged as a complete answer to the argument that rabbit-farming would inevitably arise out of trapping for export. However, the landowners possess the key to the situation, and once it is demonstrated that they could profitably step in between the trappers and their occupation it is certain that they will do so. In this manner there is a possibility that the Trappers' Union and Trappers Co-operative Association may prove a menace to themselves. The New Zealand rabbit trade has been firmly established, and at Home thero is a demand for a definite extent of supplies. If the output from this end were curtailed appreciably, the London market would immediately reflect the [diminution. The business therefore is an extensive one, and its characteristics have no parallel in any other branch of our trade. The producer does not figure in the transaction at all: The (nominal) hired laborer is the sole vendor of the produce and he secures as the recompense for his work the full proceeds qf sales to the middleman. The trappers are now seeking to farther improve their position by going past the middle men and dealing directly with the London merchants, and are to be commended rather than blamed for their enterprise. Their action, however, is likely to produce an opposite effect to that anticipated, as it may awaken the landowers to a realisation of the profitable nature of the business, with the result that they themselves may decide to participate in its benefits. As a ' matter of fact a scheme having this very object in view is already under consideration by several large holders of property in this district, and it is probable that before very long the machinery of the Farmers' Union may be utilised to carry it into effect. It is difficult to foretell what.the upshot of such an attempt would be. The whole system of working as at present in force would be changed, and trappers instead of being the vendors of the output would' be merely employed as wages men to gather in the winter harvest. No doubt the trappers would rebel at being called upon to work under less favorable auspices than at present, but they would still be at the mercy of the owners of -the land, and would be forced to accept the conditions imposed upon them or relinquish their occupation. Regarded ■ in the light of the possibilities we have mentioned a broad field for speculation upon troubles ahead is opened up. Whatever is done it is to be hoped that the future of the export industry will not be imperilled. This has proved a very present help to hundreds in Southland during several winters past, and besides has been the means of bringing into the country a vast amount of revenue that could not possibly have been made available by any other agency.