EXIT DANYSZ.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9059, 19 February 1908, Page 4

EXIT DANYSZ.

For a long time past Dr. Danysz has been conducting somewhat costly experiments in New South Wales with what was thought to be a specially destructive microbe so far as rabbits are concerned. It would, it was averred, kill rabbits wholesale, but was non-injurious to birds, or animals other than those of the bunny species. The Doctor looked forward to a very

substantial reward for the adoption of his virus as a rabbit exterminator, but he was met with opposition on two grounds—first that there was a lingering doubt after many tests had been made that it would affect rabbits only; and, secondly, because, should the rabbit be exterminated, an extensive and very valuable industry would be demolished. It now transpires that there is no need to fear one or the other of these evils. A conference of representatives of the Commonwealth and the various States appointed to consider the question, has decided that the virus is neither dangerous nor effective. Investigation has shown that Dr. Danysz in bringing out his specific from Europe was, as it were, carrying coals to Newcastle. The microbe is an old Australian friend, or enemy, as the case may be, -and is like the proverbial chip in porridge, neither good enough nor bad enough to be worth considering. But Australia having a stock of the microbe of its own, the conference has decided to exclude the foreigner. Thus the whole of the experiments have proved abortive, and bunny is still to be permitted to overrun the land.