THE RABBIT PEST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18929, 29 January 1925, Page 10

THE RABBIT PEST.

METHODS OF DESTRUCTION. SHEEP-OWNERS' VIEWS. [BX TELEGRAPH.- —OWN COEBEKPONDENT. ] CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday. At a meeting of the Canterbury Sheep Owners' Union this evening the sub-com-mittee appointed to deal with research work in connection with rabbit destruction recommended that special men be appointed to experiment and to advise as to methods to adopt and the best poisons to use, etc., with a view to advising sheep-owners and that the secretary be instructed to take necessary steps with a view to making the appointments, after consultation with the local departmental oHicers. It was stated that it was expected that important information, would shortly hii to hand from America with reference to the new disease, tularaemia, the origin of which had been traced to the rabbit by American scientists. Mr. G. 0. Rutherford moved that it be a recommendation that an export tax on winter skins be imposed and a bonus paid on all skins taken from October 1 to March 31, if this is found to be practicable by the department; or, as an alternative, that the statutory power be given to rabbit boards to have control over the methods of destruction and disposal of all products from rabbits killed in their respective districts, such as skins, carcases, etc., and that the boards be given power to use any funds resulting from the sale of the same to meet further expense incurred in respect to rabbit destruction. Tho motion was carried. It was agreed -that it bo a recommendation that all poisonous preparations sold for rabbit destruction be standardised as to quality and sold under a Government certificate only. Reference -was made to tho Australian Act providing for the supply of wirenetting to settlers on deferred payment under the advances to settlers scheme. It was decided to arrange for the drafting of a similar measure to snit conditions in New Zealand.