THE RABBIT NUISANCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10958, 21 July 1921, Page 8

THE RABBIT NUISANCE

UNFAIRNESS OF ACT. AN AMENDING MEASURE. The amendment of the Rabbit Nuisance Act is foreshadowed by the Hon. W. Nosworthy (Minister for Agriculture), who has been touring the rabbit-infested districts of the South Island. It is contended by settlers that the Amended Rabbit Act of 1919, which requires the Magistrate to convict on a rabbit inspector certifying that a farmer neglected to destroy tho rabbits on his holding, has operated most unfairly, having caused heqvy fines to be levied on men who had fought the rabbit pest energetically for years. Certain landowners, on the'other hand, are accused of violating the Act because of the high prices ruling for vabbitskine and carcases. ) The Minister has obtained valuable in- ; formation on the subject during his trip through Otago, and this will be used in drafting the amendments to be submitted to Parliament in the forthcoming session. Mr Nosworthy has promised that far'mers w.ill not be penalised if they are making genuine efforts to deal with the rabbits. But the Agricultural (Department will retain adequate power to force neglectful landholders to move in the matter. . Additional facilities will be provided if required for co-operative action on the hart of settlers, and the department will undertake the supply of rabbit-netting at the lowest possible cost. The Minister believes that systematic and I simultaneous effort by the farmers in the I affected districts is essential. I