THE RABBIT PEST.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 46, Issue 14098, 15 April 1920, Page 3

THE RABBIT PEST.

POWERS OF INSPECTOR. At yesterday ’s meeting of the Masterton' branch of the Farmers’ Union a discussion took place in connection with the. power of the rabbit inspector under the present Act in dealing with the owners of property infected by the pest. , The matter was brought torward by Mr C. C. .Hickson, who very strongly objected to the powers enjoyed by the inspectors under the Act. In the opinion of the speaker, they should be considerably curtailed. He read two. extracts from newspapers to the effect that the word of the inspector was final. The* Magistrates were compelled to take the word of that officer. The speaker stated that such a position should not be allowed in New- Zealand. An inspector could simply ruin a settler if he so desired. He moved that a remit be forwarded to the annuaf conference of the Union, protesting against. the present system, and appealing for a modification of the powers of inspectors. Mr Hugh Morrison said that some men would not destroy the rabbits, and drastic powers were necessary for the inspectors. It was very dangerous to interfere with the matter, as once the rabbits increased it would be a very difficult matter to deal with. The motion was seconded by Mr A. J. Renall.

Mr David Smith stated that the Act should be left alone. Mr Jackson reiterated his statement that the entirfs authority should.not be left is the hands of the inspectors. The Premier had not the authority that they possessed. On being put to the meeting, the motion was lost .