IMPORTANT MEETING IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1573, 5 March 1879, Page 3

IMPORTANT MEETING IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

A large gathering of the rodent inhabitants of Julia Creek and its neighborhood was recently held to consider the question of defence from foreign aggression. Grey Rabbit, Esq., the senior warrener present, took the chair.

The Chairman said they had met for one of the most important of purposes. At least he considered rabbits among the most important of poor pussies. [Cheers.] They know that the people in Parliament had been trying to find a way to exterminate them—[Shame!] — and though he never was much afraid of anything a Parliament could do —[Laughter] — he was happy to inform them that the attempt had been abandoned. Ho felt sure that every honorable rabbit would have a fair hearing, and that the discussion would not exhibit any of that violence and abuse that marked the debates of those inferior animals calling themselves M.P.’s. [Hear, hear.] John Buck, Esq., rose to move “ That the thanks of the meeting are due to the Government for the consideration they have shown in deprecating any practical steps for our persecution.” He had no doubt that the Protectionist principles which the Government had so clearly shown in their tariff had led them to deal leniently with rabbits. Theirs was a thriving community, and as a proof of their native industry he proudly poinled to their countless happy homes on Julia Creek (Cheers.) They had several corporate burrows, and, although in times of panic there was often quite a run upon their banks, they were never bankrupt. Some people in Adelaide said that the accounts of the rabbits were overdrawn ; but he denied it. They had thus far successfully met every check, [Hear, hear.]

Mr Lopear seconded. He not only wished to thank the Government, but he thought they should also thank Mr Coles, who had offered £SOO for their preservation. Mr Bob Tail said the last speaker did not understand what he was talking about. [9h ! oh !) Did he know how Mr Coles meant to preserve the rabits ? Why, they were to be preserved in tins. [G-roans, and “ Turn him out.] Yes, if his young friend were turned out after he had been preserved in that style he would be eaten there and then. He must say he was not quite clear about the Government, If they were so friendly to the rabbits, why had they thro wn difficulties in the way of colonising the Northern Territory by the followers of Bishop Bunny’un, who he supposed was a branch of their family ?

Mr Furlong said he should vote against the motion. He mistrusted the whole human race, and the less they had to do with them the better. He had once been hunted nearly half a mile by some rude men, and had had to run tor his life ; and although be never turned a hare ho was glad to abandon his race at the first burrow he came to. Men were jealous of rabbits because they could marry and bring up a family respectably, while human beings were slaving for years as bachelors. Ho remembered a song which showed this feeling when it said—

“ And the funny little rabbits So retiring in their habits, They all have a mate but me.” That was written by a bachelor, who ought to have known better, for he believed ho was called the Bachelor of the Al-bunny. Then even in their amusements human beings showed their spite, for he was informed that they had dances called “ ehot-tiecbes” and and “ pole-cats,” to sav nothing of “ pop goes the weasel.” [Shame] The Chairman, before putting the question, said the remark of the last speaker reminded him that he heard their neighbour Mr Morris had actually sent not only for ferrets and polecats—[great excitement] —but for a terrible enemy of theirs from Africa, called he believed a musk cat. It was not the muscat of Alexandria, the young offshoots of which were so refreshing, but a creature that killed rabbits by the hundred. [lntense sensation.] How they should meet this cruel attack he know not, but meantime the action of the Government contrasted most favourably with that of Mr Morris. The motion was carried with acclamation, and the meeting separated after giving three groans for Mr Coles and Mr Morris.