Rabbit-Proof Fencing.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XIII, Issue 2404, 14 August 1895, Page 4

Rabbit-Proof Fencing.

(Hansard). Mr Hogg asked the Minister of Lands whether the Agricultural and Stock Department has considered the representations made to it concerning the desirability of encouraging the use of rabbit-proof fencing, and, if so, in what way it is proposed to assist the settlers in rabbit-infested districts ? He thought it must be admitted that all the various kinds of poisons, inspectors, rabbit agents, stoats, •weasels, cats, and ferrets, brought to bear by the Stock Department had proved utterly futile ; in fact, they could only be compared to the attempts of the traditional old lady who tried to sweep out the ocean by means of an ordinary broom. That being the case, and seeing that in the opinion of the settlers the only good means of preventing the spread of the rabbit-pest was the introduction and free use of wire netting, and this being very costly, he would like to know 7 if it was the intention of the department to assist the settlers in the different districts so as to enable them to get the netting at a reasonable price, and thus protect their property. Mr J. McKenzie had already informed the House of the intention of the Government in connection with this matter. It was their intention to introduce a Bill this session to enable the Government to makS advances to settlers in the same way as was done in the cas e of local bodies. This would assist the settlers to procure wire netting.