RABBIT PEST

Hokitika Guardian, 21 June 1932, Page 8

RABBIT PEST

srt. CROWN LANDS MENACED

WELLINGTON, June 17

? The rapidity witlr'Which rabbits are increasing, particularly in the highlands of the South. Island, is causing ■grave concern. Owing to the economic conditions and the ..fact that the low price of rabbit skins contributes little or nothing towards the ; cost of eradication, many sheep'-farmers are utterly unable to check the spread of the pest, and there is grave risk that large areas of Crown lands will he rendered valueless.

A deputation consisting of Dr. Realtor, Director-General of Agriculture, Mr J. Lyons, Director of the Live Stock Division of the Department of Agriculture, Air .T. H. O’Donnell, Controller of Accounts, Department of Lands and Survey,*and the Commissioners of Crown Lands, for Marlborough, Otago, and Southland, waited upon the Unemployment Board to-day to endeavour to arrange for the use of unemployed labour to assist in controlling the menace. There was complete agreement ns to the need for resolutely tackling the problem, and ways and means for utilising unemployed labour in the task were fully discussed. It was finally arranged that the Departments of Agriculture and Lands should devise a plan for submission to the Unemployment Board.