The Rabbit Question. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2355, 13 April 1899, Page 7

The Rabbit Question. TO THE EDITOR.

Si r> — Many unkind and unfair things are said about rabbit inspectors which I for one don't believe. As a matter of fact, I know runs in the soutb where poisoning by pollard lias been carried out as recommended by these inspectors, and such runs are of no use to trappers, so well arc the rabbits kept down. We have also the testimony of Marlborough and North Canterbury, where the system recommended by Government was carried out systematically, and the runholders have thanked the Minister for Lands for what his Rabbit department has done to almost eradicate the pest. They, be it remembered, were almost the first to try trapping and preserving, but found it no use. These settlers believed in pollard-poisoning, and supported the Government inspectors, and worked unitedly for rabbit destruction. Had rabbit freezing been then popular the case might have been different, and divided intereslr would have wrecked their work. Here it is different, and I must say that the enormous quantities of rabbits going to the freezing works (the bulk of them rejected as rotten lately) do not bear out what was said by rabbit trapping advocates as to this plan being the best to lessen the rabbit. However, 1 may be wrong, and if so, away with»the Rabbit department. This is a free country, and we have a Liberal Government, and they should certainly allow farmerr to look aftei their own interests if all wish to do so. These meetings, howover, are apparently not attended by any who hold opposing views, or who eupport the inspectors, if indeed there are any such. The meeting now to be called at Gore to discuss the robbit question is, Mr M'Queen says, to be composed of " farmers, rabbit trappers, exporters, and all others interested in the trade who have something substantial to go upon." Froir such a meeting I expert, nothing but wholesale condemnation of the Government policy 01 dealing, with the r-ib-bits. Farmers might discuss 9 matter l:ke this fairly, but does one expect "rabbit trappers," " exporters," and " all others interested in the trade " to do anything but condemn inspectors, Go\ ernment, and everj enemy of the rabbit? Thiß, however, will prove nothing. Is there anyone to say a word on the other side?— l am, etc., EXTERMINATOR.

"Empire and Freedom!" So said one of the greatest of Romans when asked what were his politics. Britons, let the motto be your watchword throughout the ages. But no less notable was the saying of one of the greatest of New Zealand public men when asked what he took for a cough or cold, " Woods's Great Peppermint Cure," he exclaimed. He was Ca tight as the' old Roman statesman. Give it a trial; it is sold everywhere and never fail».