MUSQUASH.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21242, 24 January 1931, Page 16

MUSQUASH.

, -KING OF THE, RATS. , NEW INDUSTRY. FOR AUSTRALIA. . (From Our Own Correspondent.) ’ v SYDNEY, January 15. Is therd to be a new industry for Australia—the breeding of rats? A Canadian firm bae approached the Tasmanian Gov-' ernment with an offer to T spend £IO,OOO in establishing a musquash farm in Southern Tasmania. The- Commonwealth Government is to be consulted in the matter. The musquash is really a musk rat, a large rodent of North America, which is aquatic in its habits. It is about ;12 inches in length, with a tale measuring the same. Its colour is dark umberbrown, almost black on the'back and grey, below. Its hair consists of a thick, soft • underfur, interspersed with long,. stiff, glistening hairs over-laying and concealing the fur. Fur hunting is the world’s oldest history, and the musk rat is America’s most important of fur. The value of the pelts of this little animal gathered in America each year' excecds £5,000,000. The rat is caught in a steel trap similar to a rabbit trap. The fur is treated and dyed, and it is often known as “Hudson seal.” . The real significance of the offer of the Canadian company will be realised, when it is known that existing circumstances make the importation of furs into Australia almost prohibitive. They rank as luxuries, and as such are not encouraged. If milady must have her new fur coat Australia must provide it. However, would , she be so keen about it if it did not bear the imported tag, and if she knew, definitely that the pelt was that of a water rat, even though he be the king ■" . of water rats. The application is full of interesting possibilities. With the reference to the Federal Government it , becomes a national' question. Shall the breeding of rats be permitted in the con- - > . fines of this great Commonwealth. Here, indeed, is a problem for Mr Scullin— , after he has "straightened the finances of / the country. ‘