RABBITS FOR SHOW

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1929, Page 5

RABBITS FOR SHOW

A PROTEST OVER-RULED

AUCKLAND, September 6.

“ There are indications that the new rabbit industry will be nothing but a flash in the pan,” said Mr H. S. W. King, in objecting at a meeting of the council of the Auckland Metropolitan and Pastoral Association to the introduction of rabbit classes at the autumn show. Mr King entered his protest when it was notified that a rabbit section would be among the new sections it was proposed to set up at the show. “It seems evident that the industry will not be a paying one,” he said. “Babbits are the greatest curse to a country, and we should do nothing to encourage an industry which will not be of any help' to New Zealand.” The secretary (Mr W. <T. O’Donnell) said the rabbits which would be exhibited would not be the ordinary wild ones. At last winter show a rabbit section had been one of the main of interest. "Rabbit farmers had been established just as poultry farmers. They were all small-holders, and it was to the association’s interests to cater for small holders, ft was not a concern of the association whether the industry paid or did not pay. Mr King said the section in the winter show had been interesting, because it was set up during a “boom’ period in the rabbit market. Advice was now forthcoming that Angora iabbits were not saleable.

A final argument by the president, Mr Mitchell, that the association was not interested in the returns to be obtained from the industry resulted in a decision being reached to include a section for rabbits.