RATS ON SHIPS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 13907, 7 November 1919, Page 5

RATS ON SHIPS.

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON. November GThe Or.der-in-Coimeil removing the compulsion on shipowners to use u patent hawser rat trap formed the subject of a. deputation which waited on the Minister of Public Health to-day. Messrs J. B. Bruce. J. .Roberts, and .7. C. Frew, representing the waterside workers' interests, formed the deputation. Dr Makgill, of the Public Health Department was present. The Minister said: "You and I are at the one time trying to prevent ships from being rat-infested. lam told that rats will come ashore always by the hawser and be caught in the trap. I don't believe that. I believe the effect of the disc and trap is to prevent rats from coming ashore to a large extent." He added that he had communicated with the Australian authorities with a view to finding out whether the fumigation system was satisfactory, and was also inquiring from agents in Glasgow as to the cost of the Clayton gas apparatus. \ After further discussion, Sir Francis Bell suggested that the waterside workers, as interested persons, should personally endeavor to destroy Tats. "Take a day off occasionally," he said, "and catch some."

Mr Roberts pointed out that this was not practicable. "However," Jjo said, "we will have a rat day. We have Sir Francis Bell's authority for it."

P.espoetino: the Worthington machine. Dr Makgill said the department had all along regarded it as futile. Sir Francis Bell said the thing was to kill the fleas on rats. Someone must hare the final word in these matters, and while he vra« Minister the final word would come from him. The fiml word had not been spoken because, "information was ' being sought. He hoped that all would endeavor to discover a remedy.