THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1907. THE BEST METHOD OF EXTERMINATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8401, 16 April 1907, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. TUESDAY, APRIL 16, 1907. THE BEST METHOD OF EXTERMINATION.

Among the arguments submitted to the Acting-Premier at Clyde, recently, in favour of the prosecution of the Otago Central railway without delay, was one based on the impairment of the stock-carrying capabilities of the Upper Clutha district through depredations committed by rabbits. It was pointed out that the district in question comprised a tract of country about 100 miles in length and 80 miles in width, at present let in about fifteen runs of 125 farms, and carrying, approximately, 250,000 sheep, 45,000 cattle, 2,000 horses, and 600 swine. It was stated that 25 or 30 years ago the district carried three times as many sheep and cattle, and the reduction in numbers is attributed to the rabbit pest. It was contended that the advent of the railway and the closer settlement of land would constitute the best means of dealing with the nuisance, and that, the delay in constructing the line was responsible for the fact that' the district did not carry the quantity of stock it should carry. It was, also, pointed out tb<at the rabbit pest had the effect of materially reducing rentals derived by the Crown from runs in the district, and it was. urged that, as a number of pastoral leases would fall in within the next few years, the Government should introduce the system of closer settlement, and also push on the construction of the railway. The argument, condensed, amounted to contending what must be perfectly obvious to every person of intelligent and unbiassed thought, that a proper system of railroading and closer settlement of the land are the two great needs of

New Zealand, practically, from the North Cape to the Bluff.

MARKET GARDENING IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

Mr George Quinn, Instructor in Horticulture and Inspector of Fruit Districts under the Agricultural Department of .South Australia, is at present touring New Zealand in the'interests of his Department. Speaking to an interviewer at Christchurch, he said he was surprised to find that nearly the whole of the retail fruit trade" in New Zealand was practically a monopoly in the hands of the Chinese, and that the distribution of vegetables seemed to be in their hands as well. In South Australia a Chinese retail fruiterer would receive a very short shrift indeed. It may be news to people in this colony to learn that so efficiently do the Europeans grow vegetables in that State, that Chinese hawkers purchase seven-eighths of their supplies from the European growers, showing very clearly that when the European sets himself the task, and is willing to work, he can outclass ths Celestial. The system of distribution in South Australia is different to that jn New Zealand. In Adelaide there are three very fir.e markets, each capable of accommodating tHree hundred fouri wheeled trucks, from which the fruit and garden produce is sold wholesale or retail to any person wishing to buy, thus eliminating altogether the middleman and overcoming the possibility of a ring cornerjng the supply.

CO-OPERATION IN DEFENCE. The opinion expressed by Colonel Robin, First Military Member of the New Zealand Council of Defence- -as reported in a cablegram from Melbourne a few days ago—in favour of the inauguration of a system of interchange of officers between New Zealand and Australia, will appeal to all military men. The two countries are of equal strategical importance, and their interests are identical. In the event of a war between Great Britain and a strong naval, power, both Australia and New Zealand would be exposed toa similar danger of attack. That there should be a close alliance between them in all matters appertaining to defence is a matter of considerable importance. It may not be practicable at the present time to adopt a uniform system of defence, owing to the differenjt-conditions existing in the two countries, but the proper lines to follow lie in that direction. For effective co-operation in time of war it is essential that the .officers of both forces should be thoroughly familiar with the military systems of each other's Country. It certainly seems that, apart from the important question of uniformity of colonial defence, the practice uf New Zealand and Australian officers exchanging visits would be productive of beneficial results.