RABBITS AND CONTROL BOARD.

Southland Times, Issue 19389, 1 November 1924, Page 2

RABBITS AND CONTROL BOARD.

To the Editor. Sir, —Your correspondent, “Runholder,” in drawing public attention to the way the rabbit pest is being played with, deserves the thanks of all bona-fide farmers. As one who had to run a bush property of over 1000 acres for some years, and also as one who is, unfortunately, interested financially in an Otago property situated in a district where rabbit farming is common, I claim to know something about rabbits.. The staple industry in Central Otago is now fur. Sheep on many properties are only a minor consideration, and some people advertise Dunedin as the fur centre of New Zealand. If it were a sheep centre it would be a much larger city than it is. Rabbits are a bad proposition, and if allowed to get away will bring anyone to the Bankruptcy Court. Hundreds of thousands of pounds are being spent on irrigation in Otago Central. To start with, it is a doubtful proposition, as the season is so short; but, allowing for success, what is the use of spending all this money to grow lucerne to feed rabbits. Not a hundred miles from what I believe is the irrigation headquarters, rabbits were deliberately fed on lucerne hay last autumn. A little hay scattered about for the stock that did not exist encouraged rabbits to congregate and be ready when, trapping time came round. This is systematic rabbit farming, and is by no means uncommon. The rapid spread of rabbits in most parte of New Zealand within the past few years is most disquieting, , and as long’ as we have the present system of control things will go from bad to worse. Farmers appear to favour the idea of a Board of Control for the Agricultural Department, but more than a mere Board is required, and our experience of Boards in new Zealand has not been a happy one. My experience has been that as long as we have trapping and professional trappers, the pest will increase from year to year. I am not one of those who believe in prosecuting everyone who has a few rabbits, but I do believe in rabbits farmers being fined, ; and, if necessary, deprived of their farms, I as they are a worse pest than the rabbits. The importation and supply of wire netting to farmers at cost price is necessary. The export of all rabbit products should be prohibited. Trapping should be done away with, and rabbits put in their true position as a pest. We would then see the end of rabbit farming and the rabbit menace. If the present Minister will not tackle this disgraceful rabbit farming business, we must get someone who will. The idea of a Minister of the Crown interfering in rabbit cases is ludicrous. The only person capable of dealing with each case on its merits is the district Inspector.—l am, etc., INTERESTED.