KING OF THE RAPS

Taranaki Daily News, 29 January 1931, Page 6

KING OF THE RAPS

MUSQUASH FARM SCHEME.

NEW INDUSTRY FOR AUSTRALIA.

Sydney, Jan. 15;; . Is there to be a new industry for Australia —the breeding of rats? A Canadian firm has approached the Tasmanian Government with an offer to spend. : £lO,OOO in establishing a musquash farm in Southern Tasmania., The Commonwealth Government is to./ be consulted in the matter. „ ■ ■ ..

The musquash is really a musk rat, | a large rodent of North America, which is aquatic in its habits. It is about 12in. in length, with a tail measuring the same. Its colour is dark amberbrown, almost black on the back arid grey below. Its hair consists, of a thick, 6<«ft underfur, interspersed, with long, stiff, glistening hairs dyerlaying/'and, concealing the fur.- .Fur-huntjiug the' world’s oldest history and 'the /musk rat is America’s most important; sourcb' of fur.' The value of the pelts of.tfiis little animal gathered in America each year exceeths £5,000,000. The. rat is caught in a steel trap 'similar to a tabbit trap. The fur is treated and dyed and it is often known as “Hudson seal.”

The real significance, of the offer'.oithe Canadian company will be realised when it is known that existing circumstances make the importation of -furs into Australia almost prohibitive. They rank as luxuries and as such are not encouraged. If milady must have her new fur coat Australia must provide it. However, would she be so keen about it if it did not bear the imported tag and if she knew definitely that the pelt w as Giat of a water rat, even though he be the king of water rats’ The application is full of interesting possibilities. With the reference to the Federal Government it becomes national, question, Shall th® breeding'

of rats be perihitted in the confines of this great Commonwealth? Here indeed is a - problem fop Mr. Scullin —after he has straightened, out the finances of the country, .. ... .