DR DANYSZ AND RABBIT EXTERMINATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2785, 31 July 1907, Page 23

DR DANYSZ AND RABBIT EXTERMINATION.

(Pastoralists' Review, July 15.) The temporary absence of Dr Danysz from Broughton Island has not in any way interfered with the experiments there. His collaborator.. Mons. Latapie, is continuing the tests initiated by Dr Danysz, and amplifying the results attained by the doctor before his departure. There is every reason to believe that the conclusions arrived at by Dr Danysz during his stay at the island will be verified in every respect. -In the meantime, Dr Tidswell, the Fede*al Bacteriologist, is still engaged upon the important work of determining whether the result of Dr Danysz's scientific investigations at the island will justify hie official recommendation to the Government to allow the experiments to be carried to the mainland. The committee responsible for the project is quite prepared to accept the decision of Dr Tidswell, who is admittedly the only scientist in Australia whose special experience in bacteriological research -qualifies him to determine the important point at issue. It is astonishing to notice how persistently the opposition cliques fight against the idea of the introduction of the experiments to the mainland. Were it not that so many disclaimers have been published as to their being interested in the commercial aide of rabbit life, 1 one might reasonably conclude that there was a more sordid 1 reason for the activity displayed by them. Tbe Pastures Protection Boards in the various districts of New South Wales have carried resolutions expressing their satisfaction with the result of Dr Danysz's work on. Broughton Island, and urging the committee to take steps for the early transference of the operations to the mainland. They recognise the necessity of pushing 1 on the scheme of rabbit extermination if ■%c country is to be freed from the devastating effect of the pest. At the annual meeting of the Stockowners' Association Sir Francis Suttor, in referring to the splendid work Dr Danysz had in hand, made the following significant remarks: — "The day had not yet come when an authoritative opinion could be given on Dr Danysz's experiments. He was convinced that Dr Tidswell would give a fair and impartial report. He was sorry that the papers referred to a ' rabbit industry.' The rabbit would never be anything but a peet, and to apply the word industry to it was a misnomer. The wool and cheep industry (export only), as the Premier had said, was worth 19 millions. The sale of rabbits and skins, etc., did not amount to half a million. But the damage to tho sheep and wool industry by rabbits last year would not be covered by a million and a-half- The people were only encouraging a. viper in their breast when they tried to maintain the co-called rabbit indu6try."