RABBIT CONTROL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27384, 9 May 1950, Page 3

RABBIT CONTROL

Devaluation Plan STRONG CONDEMNATION Former System Favoured A fairly large and representative gathering of ratepayers and taxpayers was held on Friday at Middlemarch to discuss the question of the devaluation of the rabbit. Mr L. Keast was voted to the chair. Figures were quoted from Government statistics to show how the country’s revenue and finances had decreased under the devaluation scheme, and it was generally considered that no incentive was being given to rabbiters to destroy rabbits at the present time. Rabbits, it was stated, could not be destroyed on J high wages, with no pay for results. The consequence was that professional rabbiters. opposed to the present scheme, sought other means of earning a livelihood, leaving a number of young and inexperienced men to do the work required by rabbit boards. One speaker said that the scheme as operated was one of the worst he had ever heard of for creating loafers. Men could not be blamed for not exerting themselves to kill rabbits if they could live comfortably on a nice, steady wage. Waste of Public Money Mr McAtamney said it was a shocking waste of public money, and as rabbits became more numerous, as they certainly were doing, the cost of killing would become greater and the ratepayers and taxpayers would have to find the amount needed. Mr J. A. Jones said he understood that in one area £7OOO worth of rabbits and skins had been wasted, and the cost of running this board had been £15.000. Another speaker said that many of those who had supported the rabbit destruction policy, were now opposed to it. Mr S. Johnson said that if present conditions continued the devaluation on rabbitskins would increase to such an extent that all men seeking rabbiting as an employment, would be forced through circumstances to work for boards. Many speakers said that the value should be put back in the rabbit as the work undertaken would then be fairly self-supporting. Mr G. Pepperell said that if all skins were marketed by the Government and paid for at the rate of Is for large skins and 4d for small skins all the year round, men would be encouraged to kill rabbits. This would give rabbiters some reward for their work, and enable rabbit boards to be done away with. If this were done the cost would be reduced almost to a minimum, and there would not be the extravagant waste of public money there was at present. Mr G. Owens said that, in his opinion. a flat rate should be struck for Mr W. Robson said that the best way to remedy a difficult situation was to go back to the old system of having inspectors checking for rabbit infestation, and that substantial fines should be inflicted on landowners who failed to keep rabbits under control. The fines could be used for the purpose of clearing the rabbits on such properties. This proposal was generally supported. Mr E. Matheson asked if members of the Rabbit Destruction Council and the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Holyoake. could not be requested to meet ratepayers and taxpayers on the question. as it seemed apparent that there was much dissatisfaction with the system laid down by the Rabbit Destruction Council.

"A Complete Failure ”

Mr J. B. Smith moved that the meeting oppose the present system of devaluation of skins. This was seconded by Mr Carolin, and carried unanimously. ..It was pointed out that the present policy was- a complete failure in the district, and also that if conditions continued as at present there would be a serious division amongst federated farmers, as it was believed that members of the executive cf Federated Farmers had advocated the introduction of rabbit boards.

Mr G. Owens said the present policy was causing widespread concern all over the country, and Mr F. Keast said that much of the land, even in board areas, was over-run with rabbits. These farmers, he added, were waiting for board rabbiters to come along and destroy the rabbits, but men were not available to do the job. After further discussion a motion by Mr W. Robson, seconded by Mr H. B. Smith, was carried by a large majority —“ That this meeting of farmers, ratepayers and taxpayers has no confidence in the present administration of rabbit control by the Rabbit Destruction Council, and that the old system of having the Department of Agriculture inspectors inspecting lands and reporting to the Department regarding rabbit infestation, be put into operation, and also that substantial fines be levied for infested lands, such fines to be used for the destruction of rabbits on such properties.” This resolution was signed by all present, and is to be sent forward to the Minister of Agriculture. Mr Holyoake, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr Bodkin.