RABBITS BILL

Southland Times, Issue 20536, 12 July 1928, Page 7

RABBITS BILL

HOUSE OF LORDS DEBATE MEASURE REJECTED BY EIGHT VOTES SUPPLY OF FOXES SUGGESTED (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 7.5 p.m.) London, July 10. The House of Lords defeated the Government’s Rabbits Bill by 63 votes to 55. Lord Wemyss moved its rejection, describing it as a ridiculous Bill opposed to all the recommendations of the Select Committee. It was not designed to exterminate rabbits, but to placate the Farmers’ Union. Ixird Darling said the best .way to reduce rabbits was to maintain a supply of foxes which were more humane killers than steel traps. ' Earl Russell said the Bill would produce endless friction among landowners. If they sent* poachers to exterminate the pest they would store the information for future use; if they sent an inspector he would be unable to shoot straight. Baron Clinton said that all interested in forestry would support the Bill. The Marquis of Salisbury said let it not be said that the House of Lords, who knew more about land than any Assembly in the world, would refuse to remove rabbits’ depredations. Nevertheless the Bill was beaten.—Australian Press Association—United Service. The House of Commons on May 7 read a second time the Rabbits Bill to enable the authorities to exterminate rabbits when their depredations become serious. Members, however, found the Bill most difficult to debate with becoming seriousness. Mr. T. Johnston (Dundee) supported the Bill, adding that a good remedy for rabbits would be to encourage poaching. Mr. Newton Moore said that the rabbit in Australia had once been treated as a nuisance. It was now a source of wealth. Some of the best canned chicken from Austtalia was really rabbit. (Laughter). Mr. F. A. Macqulsten said that three of the worst nuisances in the Highlands were bracken, rabbits and steamboat traffic. Hares did less damage than rabbits. Mr. J. Wheatley interjected: Are you referring to the electric hare? (Laughter). The Hon. Walter Guinness, on behalf of the Government, said there was no denial of the damage done to agriculture by rabbits. The only opposition w*as regarding the methods. The Bill was read a second time without a division.