UTILITY AIM UPHELD

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 914, 6 March 1930, Page 12

UTILITY AIM UPHELD

COMMERCIAL RABBIT-KEEPING NON-PARTICIPATION IN SHOWS The Auckland Fur Club does not intend allowing its activities to be diverted from the utilitarian objective of fostering rabbit asool and pelt production and marketing, to active participation in shows and stud-breeding. It believes that such a transfer might endanger the value of its commercial work. This was made clear at a meeting- of the club this week, when, following in the wake of the A. and P. Show, at which nearly 100 Chinchilla and Angora rabbits were exhibited, enthusiasts made a plea for the club to extend recognition to the show. The club has, up till the present, regarded shows and stock-breeding questions as beyond its- scope. An effort was made to have some reference to members participation in the show, incorporated in the minutes, but this was rLiled ocit of order. Advocates of enlarging the club’s scope of activity contended that participation in shows would be valuable propaganda for rabbit production and education, and that many members were more keenly interested in exhibiting and stud-breeding standards than in the utilitarian -work of encouraging wool and pelt production. Against this- view, the argument was advanced that the industry existence depended upon markets for wool and pelts, otherwise breeders became nothing more than a community of pet rabbit-keepers. It was recognised that satisfactory markets existed, but New Zealand had not yet gripped them. In consequence,i many people who had purchased rabbits for wool and pelt production, were unable to realise their objective. The industry had been IS months in existence and the country was still without organised markets for wool and pelts. The local club was the only one in New Zealand formed solely to promote the commercial side; all others were breeders’ clubs. It was made c-lear the club was not hostile to shows and breeders’ interests; individually members were keen on exhibitions, but the club did not regard shows as within its province. The president announced the subject could be raised in the future if the cirv.liinstances warranted it. Meantime, the show seemed to be doing well in the capable hands of the A. and P. Society’s rabbit stewards.