RAT-INFESTED SHIPS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1789, 7 November 1919, Page 9

RAT-INFESTED SHIPS.

METHODS OF PREVENTION. Pres* Antnnatinn. "WELLINGTON, November 6. The Order-in-Couneil removing the compulsion on shipowners -to use. the patent hawser rat-trap formed the subject of a deputation which waited on the Minister of Public Health (Sir Francis Bell) to-day. Messrs J. B. Bruce, J. Koberts, and J. C. Frew, representing the waterside workers' interest, formed the deputation, and Dr Makgill, of the Public Health Department, was present. The Minister said that the method of killing rats on ships was by fumigation. "You and I are at one." he said, "in trying to prevent ships from being rat-infested. I am told that rats will come ashore always by the hawser and be caught in the trap. I don't believe that. I believe that the effect of the disc and trap is to prevent the rats from coming ashore to a large extent." Sir Francis added that he had communicated with the Australian authorities with a view to finding out whether the fumigating system was satisfactory, and had also made inquiry from the agents in Glasgow as to the cost of the Clayton gas apparatus. After further discussion Sir Francis Bell suggested that the watersiders, as interested persons, should personally endeavour to destroy rats. "Take a day off occasionally," he said, "and catch some." Mr Koberts pointed out that this was not practicable. "However," he said, "we will have a 'rat day.' We have Sir Francis Bell's authority for it." Respecting the Worthingto'n machine, Dr Makgill said that the department had all along regarded it as futile. Sir Francis Bell said the thing was to kill the fleas on rats. Someone must have a final word in these matters, and while he was Minister the final word would come from him. The final word had not been spoken, because information was being sought. He hoped all would endeavour to discover a remedy.