MONEY IN RABBITS.

Shannon News, 20 July 1928, Page 2

MONEY IN RABBITS.

PREMIER INTERVIEWED

During a recent Auckland visit the Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, was interviewed by the editor of the "N.Z. Smallholder" on behalf of the "Million-a-Year" industrial rabbit movement. The following facts were put before him: — The industrial rabbits are creatures of captivity, especially the Angoras. The food supply can be all home-grown, making the food bill almost nil. The wool'revenue, on English figures, is: Each Angora rabbit, lOoz. wool, 36s per lb first grade, £1 per rabbit per annum. The buyers are mills in Matlock, Derbyshire. The skin revenue from the fur breeds, on English figures, is £5 per annum from the progeny of one doe. If farmed in large netted runs (which i 8 suitable for the fur breeds) there would be occasional escapes but not enough 'to increase the ra'bbit pest by one 100,000 th. .uie Angora would perish if at liberty. The industry is suited to financiers, working small farmers, women and families, poor returned incapacitated soldiers. Minimum carrying capacity, 5. acres, 300 Angoras, one woman's work with a helper; 15 acres, 1000 Angoras, one man and wife with a > helper. The Prime Minister was asked for an Order-in-Council permitting immediate importation of the profitable British strains.

The Prime Minister''said he already possessed some information about the industrial rabbit movement. He would ask the Department of Agriculture to investigate the matter. The necessary Order-in-Council has since been granted.

We have received a copy of a very interesting book, "Angora Wool Rabbits for Profit in New Zealand and Australia," which has been written by the editor of the "Smallholder," and gives full information relating to the industry.