THE RABBIT NUISANCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20448, 30 June 1928, Page 12

THE RABBIT NUISANCE.

A MEMBER of the staff of the Department of Agriculture has been impressed with the results that have been attained in dealing with the rabbit nuisance in certain districts in the north. Apparently in some localities where rabbits once abounded the efforts of the Rabbit Boards have almost brought about their disappearance. It has been predicted by a member of the Selwyn Plantations Board that in ten years there will be no rabbits in New Zealand. That is a bold forecast, and one which, in some parts of the Dominion at all events, is likely to be received with a certain amount of scepticism. In official circles there may be a disposition to suggest that the solution of the rabbit problem is wrapped up in the saying, '• Where there’s a will there’s a way." It is not lightly to be assumed, however, that the rabbit is about to give up its hold upon the land and yield the long-fought battle. Results obtained in the North Island where the rabbit pest has never reached the dimensions which it has assumed in the South Island, do not offer a perfectly satisfactory guide for the Dominion as a whole. The experience of Auckland in this matter is not comparable to that of Otago. Yet, the rabbit is somewhat less troublesome than it was in the South Island, despite the fact that trapping has been at times so remunerative as to create in some quarters the opinion that it is worthy of elevation to the dignity of an industry. But vfiey take a short-sighted view who thus dwell upon the value to the Dominion of the commercial exploitation of the rabbit. For this exploitation is possible only at the expense of an industry the benefit and importance ot which to the community demands every recognition. It would be largely to the advantage of the public if the rabbit pest could be brought much better under control in the South Island than is the case at present.