MORE RABBITS WANTED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1042, 5 August 1930, Page 10

MORE RABBITS WANTED

FUR-BEARING VARIETIES DEPUTATION TO MINISTER Further consideration of the regulations governing the importation of fur-bearing rabbits is to bo given by the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. A. J. Murdoch. A deputation from the Canterbury Rabbit Breeders’ Association waited on the Prime MinisJier, tho Hon. CJ. W. Forbes, on Saturday to urge that permissiem should be given to introduce the blue beveren and sable varieties, said to be the most payable lines of the industry, and secured the promise that tho position would be inquired into further. The Prime Minister admitted that there was little danger of the animals becoming a pest. Tho deputation was introduced by Mr. R. W. Hawke, M.P., who said that the rabbit breeders were confident of the future success of their industry, but they found that restrictions weighed heavily upon them. Mr. W. E. Simes, on behalf of' the Rabbit Breeders’ Association, Mr. E. Willcox, on behalf of the R.S.A.. and Mr. H. A. Dawber, on behalf of the Poultrymen’s Association, also spoke. The deputation urged greater security of the tenure of licences, and the lifting of the restriction on importation of certain breeds. The industry was profitable and could be carried on by almost anyone. Mr. Willccx enlarged on the suitability of the rabbit industry as a means of livelihood for partially incapacitated returned soldiers, provided the legislation of the country did not prevent them from importing the most profitable breeds. Mr. Dawber stated that the rabbit industry was particularly suitable for co-operating with the poultry industry. Good fur could be produced by feeding rabbits on the rubbish fro.pi the poultry pens. Mr. \V. Wright, president of the association, stated that he had been assured by a large firm of furriers that it could handle all fur pelts, provided a sufficient number was produced. Tic was assured that the most suitable types were the blue beveren and the sable. Tho deputation specially urged: Tho recognition of commercial rabbit' farming in New Zealand as a desirable primary industry and freedoih to develop it without the fear of confiscation and withdrawal of permits. Tho granting to rabbit farmers and intending rabbit farmers throughout New" Zealand licences of a more permanent nature, providing the existing regulations as to the secure confinement of stock are strictly complied with. Some assurance that no such drastic action as suggested by the conference of the North Island Rabbit Boards, held on June II last, will be considered. Permits • to import and breed other types of fur-bearir. g rabbits, in order to produce an adeq. ate varietv for the furriers and thereby capture the local trade, which is now privileged mainly to foreigners. Permission to have our own Angora wool spun in Britain returned to New Zealand 'without being taxed like foreign goods, until such time as New Zealand mills will handle the wool here. In reply the Prime Minister referred to the prejudice that existed against widening the scope for the importation of»rabbits, because of the cost tlv.it had been imposed ori farmers by the common rabbit over-running the country. He appreciated the fact that fur-bear-ing rabbits lived only under special care in confinement, so that there was littlo danger of those animals becoming a pest. The restrictions on' importations were purely to prevent the country being over-run by rabbits, but he would place the representations for the enlarging of the scope of tho regulations before the Minister, of Agriculture. He was pleased to hear that the industry, after what appeared to be an uncertain period through fallings in price, was now likely to remain on a better footing.