TEMUKA DISTRICT RABBIT BOARD

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22476, 11 January 1943, Page 3

TEMUKA DISTRICT RABBIT BOARD

No Objection, But No Support

Decision Of Farmers’ Union

While having no objection to the formation of rabbit boards in areas where rabbits are a menace, it was decided, at the monthly meeting of the Temuka Branch of the Farmers’ Union, presided over by Mr Jas. Woodhead, not to support the Government in its proposal to deal with the rabbit menace by the formation of rabbit boards throughout the country.

In speaking to his motion “that the executive support the Government in the establishment of Rabbit Control Boards throughout the country,” Mr W. Buchan said that a committee had been formed to arrange for the formation of a rabbit board in the Rangi-tata-Orari district. Thirty-five persons had been present at the meeting at Rangitata when it was decided to circulate a petition for the formation of a board and they were receiving good support. The petition would be presented to tile Government when the permission of 50 per cent of the ratepayers had been obtained. They were not working in the dark and it was no fault of the press that more publicity had not been given to the project.

Tire boundary mapped out was roughly from a little north of the Rangitata River to an area south of the Orari River and extended from Mount Peel Station to the sea, taking in approximately 100,000 acres. It was proposed to rate on an acreage basis, which Would work out at an estimated cost of 3d or 4d an acre. Tire Government had set aside a sum of £30,000 to subsidise rabbit boards in the Dominion, and, if a board was not formed in this district, other districts would get the money and South Canterbury would have the rabbits. Rabbits were undoubtedly becoming a serious menace in the country' to-day and individual farmers could get neither rabbiters nor ammunition to cope with them. Rabbiters employed by the board would receive £5/5/- a week and rabbiting would be proclaimed an essential industry. No one could estimate the damage done by rabbits and, in these days it was essential that the country should have every ounce of production possible. Preferential Rating In answer to Mr T. Symes. Mr Buchan said that the rating would be on a preferential scale. Farmers with few rabbits and little cover would be on a smaller rate. Mr A. Johnson said that most farmers in his district had heard about the rabbit menace but they seldom saw any rabbits. If the branch supported tlie remit, they would be brought into tire area. A lot of people in the district were not affected at all. The secretary (Mr H. G. Mulligan) said that he had two rabbits in his wood pile and was carefully preserving them for a future pie. Mr A. E. Dobson said that they had to view the scheme from the point of view of the Farmers’ Union. Theywere being asked to give their support to a scheme already well under way, and to which many members of the Union were opposed. It was contrary to the policy of the Farmers’ Union to bring in Government control. If the Government was going to subsidise to the extent of 50 per cent, they would want 90 per cent control. The branch should not give its support to a scheme to which many of its members were strenuously opposed. Mr Buchan replied that full control was in the hands of the boards. There was only one Government representative on each board. Mr Mulligan said that the organisation should not commit itself in the matter. The setting up of the boards was most democratic, and they were using their heads in excluding districts without rabbits, but there were many farmers in the district who could have to pay money out for nothing. Mr J. Macaulay moved an amendment “that, while no objection could be raised to the formation of Rabbit Control Boards in areas where rabbits were a menace, members considered that it should be left to individual areas to decide the matter as they thought fit.” In supporting the amendment, Mr Johnson said that he did not think they should support the idea as an organisation. Mr A. E. Dobson said that it would not benefit the Union if they took sides. The prestige of the Union was already being overshadowed by the Primary Production Committees, and he noticed recently that, in one newspaper, the president of the South Canterbury Executive of the Farmers' Union (Mr L. V. Talbot) had been referred to as the chairman of the Primary Production Council only. On being put to the meeting, the amendment was carried by an overwhelming majority. Small Arms Ammunition Advice was received from the provincial secretary IMr A. B. Struthers) that limited supplies of .22 ammunition were now available to farmers through certain retailers on application being made through the local stock inspector. On the suggestion of Mr T. Symes, it was decided to write to the Minister of Siip"ply and Munitions (the Hon. D. G. Sullivan) asking what the position was in regard to the obtaining of gumboots by dairy farmers and pointing out how essential gum-boots were to the dairy industry. It was agreed that the usual annual grant of £2/2/- be made to the Temuka Technical Classes’ Association. PERSONAL A motion of sympathy with Mr F. South in his Illness was passed by the Temuka branch of the Farmers’ union at its monthly meeting on Friday evening. The Rev. H. Thomson and Mrs Thomson, who have been the guests of the Rev. and Mrs Walter Wisdom, the Vicarage, Temuka, have returned to Methven. Mrs J. F. Wright and Miss Ellen Wright, are spending a holiday at Lake Coleridge.