RABBIT SKIN LEVY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24913, 12 May 1942, Page 5

RABBIT SKIN LEVY

MEETING OF PROTEST AN INEQUITABLE IMPOST (Special) CROMWELL, May 11. A largely-attended meeting to protest against- the recent levy on rabbit skins was held at Lowburn on Saturday night, when there were present over 50 rabbiters and others interested. After a preliminary informal discussion, it was unanimously decided that the meeting should protest against the imposition of the recent levy. It was contended that as a result of the recent taxation, in conjunction with the high cost of killing rabbits, the rabbiters’ earnings compared most unfavourably with those of industrial workers such as freezing works employees, wharf workers, and coal miners, and figures were submitted to show that, in comparison with the other workers mentioned, the rabbiter was taxed on a much higher scale. Plan Strongly Criticised One rabbiter, with 20 years’ experience, said that the rabbiter took the risk with his skins and did not " grizzle ” when prices were poor, and he did not run to the Government for a subsidy. For the sake of being independent, the rabbiter had gone out and worked long hours and put up with all sorts pf weather. The tax was, he said, iniquitous and unjust, and it seemed to be introduced for the purpose of reducing good, conscientious wage earners to the ranks of slaves. The speaker also strongly criticised rabbit boards and their method of administration of funds and said there should be a thorough investigation into the manner in which funds had been spent by these and other similar public bodies. Was the present levy, the speaker asked, to be maladministered as funds were in the past? The rabbiter had had a very raw deal, and if the Government had wished rabbits to increase it could not have Introduced a better scheme, another speaker said. In support of this statement, several of those present pointed out that the levy was to be applied to a rabbit equalisation account to' subsidise the rabbiters in the summer time, when they would be engaged in seasonal work such as shearing, harvesting, etc. There was, therefore, no chance of the rabbiter getting any return from the levy. This appeared to be the unanimous opinion of all present. Tne Government, it was stated, had imposed this unjust taxation without a full knowledge of the situation. It was not the right time to establish an equalisation fund, particularly as the genuine rabbiter would be engaged' in seasonal work In the summer time, when the scheme would apply. It was also pointed out that the rabbiter was paying 4s In the £ on his working expenses, and with the cost of destruction of rabbits under all conditions it was impossible for him to make a living. In comparison with other workers, he was paying over 10s In the £ taxation. Runholder’s Support A runholder from the Undls Pass district stated thafi the increased production from some runs was in a large measure due to the good work of the rabbiter, but if the levy was imposed the rabbiter would drift to other works. He felt that other runholderS would view the position in the same light as the rabbiters. After further discussion, it was decided that a protest should be sent to the Government objecting to the levy, as it was considered to be a form of class taxation, and also objecting to the manner in which it was Imposed. The following were appointed a committee to submit comparative figures and to frame a suitable protest:—Messrs W. Paterson (Llndis Pass). W. Anderson (Tarras). E. HobbS (Mount Pisa), T. Clark and M. Heaney (Lowburn). NORTH OTAGO PROTEST JOINT ACTION SOUGHT (Special) OAMARU, May 11. A large gathering of rabbiters was held In the Hakataramea Hall on Saturday night to discuss the. Rabbit Skin Emergency Regulations. Mr L. Bloomfield was voted to the chair. A full and frank discussion took place, during which rabbiters spoke strongly against what all considered a most unfair tax. It was claimed that the levy was unjust, as it singled out the rabbiter for special attention, and ho other body of men was treated In this way. It was pointed out that most of the men doing rabbiting would be deprived of any chance of a refund In the summer as they would then be called upon to do other seasonal work, such as mustering, shearing, and harvesting, whilst some would probably be In camp. The high-country man. it was said, was especially hard hit, as his expenses, including the cartage of carrots and horse feed at £2 10s a ton. traps, horses, poison, and the keeping of two homes, usually amounted to 45 per cent, of his gross earnings. The meeting decided to place its views before the Government, and to ask for fair treatment. To assist in achieving this object, it was decided to get in touch with rabbiters in other districts with a view to joint action. A committee, with Mr A. L. Fraser (Box 42, Hakataramea) as secretary, was appointed to place the rabbiters’ case before the Minister. It was also decided to circulate a petition in the district praying for the repeal of the regulations'. . -^v’,