THE RABBIT PEST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23866, 21 July 1939, Page 15

THE RABBIT PEST

TO THE EDITOR

Sir.—ln reply to the letter by “Logical” in your issue of July 19 (the irony of the nom de plume being rather amusing) I would like to remark that “ Logical ” has. in keeping with those whom I referred to as “ nebulous ” and superficial, not failed to generalise. Apparently “ Logical ” thinks that the point at issue is “ whether rabbits should be destroyed by humane methods or not.” No one else doubts that it is "whether rabbits should 'be destroyed by more humane methods or not.” The methods at present in use, namely, strychnine and traps. Trave not been proved to be anything else than humane. In fact, a correspondent writing in your issue of July 13. positively asserts and implicitly proves from experience that these methods are most humane If “ Logical ” desires me to prove my statement that “ the pain rabbits experience is not relative to the pain we experience.” I would do so. However, he admits that it can be proved, but holds it to be hard to do so. I think most people 1 find it is not very difficult. One naturally presumes an average standard of intelligence. “ Logical presumes rather too much when he states that I calculate the annual cost of rabbits to New Zealand to be £ 12.000,000 No. that is the calculation nf the Government. I am led to believe, and “Logical” no doubt thinks the cost is under-estimated. With regard to the statement of mine, quoted by "Logical.” that rabbits “be officially put out of life.” I would advise him to replace it in its context and read it again. To state my cpse briefly again. We are in a critical situation with the rabbit pest, and anv delay in destroying these little animals spoils worse disaster. Our present methods cannot be proved to be not humane, and any people objecting to them should propose a more humane method at least. That fact has been, omitted by •• Logical,” whose concluding remarks are in keeping with the rest of his letter and do not need comment— J am. etc., New Zealand. Ranfurly. July 18.