THE RABBIT IN COMMERCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18320, 10 August 1921, Page 5

THE RABBIT IN COMMERCE.

to the editor. Sib, —The rabbit os a pest has loomed very largely of late in the Otago papers. ' Tha bad side of the rabbit has been shown in very vivid colours. The average man now think there is no good in him, and the Government is out to destroy him root ’ and branch. I would like, with your permission, to show the otherside—that of the rabbit as a commercial asset, or rather as an article of commerce. Rabbit is in greet demand in many countries, especially in. Great Britain as an article of food. The skin is of great value for making of all kinds of furs for ladies’ wear. Moreover, most of our hats are made from the rabbit’s skin. I would point out that a large number of businesses have been established and are maintained solely on the huznhSe. rabbit. The export of frozen rabbits hue been carried on in New Zealand, for, I be-: lieve, fully 30 years, during which time nearly millions of money must have been sent to this country in consequence. The export trade in rabpitsking has been going on for the same period, and has brought in a few millions. The canning industry also, has exported many wiillmTff of rabbits. I estimate that during the neat 30 years a total sum of quite 15 miDiona of money have been realised by thia country out of the despised rabbit, all outside money. Employment ha» been found'for a few thousand men and boys who would otherwise have been out of work—our country roads would have bean alive with swaggers. A large number of womep/tetp' and girls are at present employed ih New . Zealand making furs from the rabhita|dh. The-frozen rabbit, the canned article’' the' rabbitskin, between them require a fair amount of shipping space every year, thus providing a proportion of the wort, harbour dues, etc., m connection with our ports. Railway revenue is also added' to. timber is needed—which is an aid to onr timber industry. It can, be claimed with, perfect justice that rabbits are not the deadly curse that some people try to make them out to be. lam not for one intending to claim that he is of benefit*to' * this country under present conditions, but . I believe, if properly the rabbit ' would be a gain and not a loss. To thOMt people who argue that if the rabbit was exterminated, the land freed from him could bo ’used to increase our Socks and herds, I say that if they want to increase flocks and nerds it can easily be done or exterminating the noxious weeds which * overrun this country in all directions. Wipe out gorse only, and nearly enough land will be freed to double our live stock. It will •, take a generation of hard work and millions of money to Exterminate the rabbit, and • . even then success is more than doubtful., The noxious weed .could be exterminated ia ’ two years if a serious attempt were made. Do away with trapping and immediately * large number of old established businesses will collapse; thousands of people will btr thrown out of work; and the value of our exports will fall by fully £500,000 per , annum. I would point out that whereas . the rabbit does bring in a steady revenue to New Zealand and provide work for more ' than half the year at good wages for a large number of people—principally men—and . therefore partly justify their existence, no benefit at all is obtained from weeds.—l - am. etc., Frank Tuckxß. Dunedin, August 8.