RABBIT FARMING FOR PROFIT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19268, 3 January 1931, Page 15

RABBIT FARMING FOR PROFIT.

(BY

“LAPIN.”)

•1 TrrzrtJr*-.' Remind or s. Meeting ° r ‘he C.R.F.A. on January S, YEAR’S PROGRESS REVIEWED. In reviewing the operations of the Angora wool and Chinchilla fur industry for the year just completed, it is interesting to note the extensive progress made. This is especially important in view of the fact that the industry i S only in its infancy in New Zealand, and further, that all other industries are suffering severely under worldwide depression. One of the first obstacles that the New Zealand rabbit farmer had to overcome was the organised opposition from the various Rabbit Boards throughout the whoie of the Dominion. At the Dominion Conference of Rabbit Boards held during the year, a remit was passfa asking the Government to prohibit the keeping of Angora and Chinchilla labbits in any Rabbit Board district, and further, that the whole of the North Island be classified as one Rabbit Board district. To have countenanced' this would have meant a crushing defeat, ror it would have eventually terminated the industry as far as New Zealand is concerned. However, it was felt that the Government would appreciate the progress made with rabbit farming here, and the Canterbury Rabbit Breeders’ Association communicated with the Minister of Agriculture, asking for an assurance that such a request would * ot t be L con sidered. The Minister of Agriculture replied stating that he had gone into the matter very carefully, and could assure the association that there would be no interference with the existing regulations with regard to the keeping of Angora and Chinchilla rabbits in New Zealand, so that breeders have since been able to proceed without fear of any organised opposition. Angora wool production has, duringthe past year, received a tremendous impetus with the definite establishment of very satisfactory markets for Angora wool in England.

Our first year of operations was badly marred by the lack of markets, but for several months a number of mills spinning Angora wool have been clamouring for the raw material. In fact, various offers have been made for the whole of the New Zealand output, but. so far breeders have preferred a freo hand in disposing of their products. Messrs Minchin and Matthews, one of the largest buyers of Angora wool in England, in their latest report, state that they have been making e\*ery effort to stabilise the market for British Angora wool, so that there will be a permanent outlet at a permanent price, and at the «ucce!-s me they are very confident of

Existing prices are as follows:—First grade, 30s per lb; second grade, 25s per lb; third grade, 15s per lb; fourth grade, 7s 6d to 10s per lb. From the past two years’ practical experience in New Zealand, it is now definite that at these prices Angora wool production will be a very compensating occupation. A breeder with a flock of 500 woolling rabbits obtaining the above prices for his wool would show a net profit of at least £275 per annum. In view of these facts, the Angora wool industry should materially assist in relieving the serious unemployment problem in New Zealand, and a proposal has been made that the Government should assist intending rabbit farmers on five-acre blocks of land. The capital required to start is comparatively small, and the income would commence almost immediately.

In Denmark and France, where the ? rob,em is practically C ?V n are noted for their numeious tarmlets where the worker

and his family can carry on rabbit farming:, either as a whole-time occupation or as a means of supplementing the worker’s income in times of unemployment. The breeder can regulate the flock maintained by him according to the amount of time he is able to devote in attending to such flock. By this means, as a part-time occupation, the farmlct can be made a means of producing profits for luxuries in times of prosperity, and In times of adversity, at the very least, a means of providing sustenance, without recourse to objectionable charitable assistance. It can be the means of raising the worker's standard of living, and certainly of giving him greater independence. The Chinchilla fur industry has perhaps not made such rapid progress owing to the general slump in all furs, and also to tho fact that New Zealand has not yet produced a sufficient number of Chinchilla pelts to warrant the manufacturers making a definite offer. However, the Fur Board, Limited, of Great Britain, announced on November 1, 1930, that it was prepared to pay 7s each for Chinchilla pelts forwarded by its members, and under' present conditions this is Indeed a very satisfactory price. Next winter, however, it is to be hoped that Chinchilla fur producers in Canterbury, at least, will receive a very satisfactory return.

The Canterbury Babbit. Breeders’ Association is not only arranging for the disposal of Chinchilla pelts, but it is ajso organising a definite market for Chinchilla carcases. In the meantime, breeders have only one thing to do, and that is to bi*eed heavily. However, one must not imagine from the foregoing remarks that rabbit farming is a lazy man’s occupation, for, as In every other avenue of employment, the reward depends on the effort, and profits are only made by hard and diligent work. Nevertheless, when compared with New Zealand’s other primary industries, commercial rabbit farming is certainly a promising occupation, and it is to be expected that during the coming year the number of breeders in New Zealand will increase tremendously.