CONTROL OF RABBITS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 January 1939, Page 6

CONTROL OF RABBITS

MINISTER PRAISES SETTLERS’ INITIATIVE

ACTION TAKEN AT TINUI. FARMERS URGE APPOINTMENT OF ANOTHER INSPECTOR. "The formation of a Rabbit Association by Tinui settlers is a step in the right direction, evidencing as it does a determination to take joint and effective action in the eradication of the pest,” stated the Minister of Agriculture, the Hen W. Lee Martin, in a letter received at today's meeting of the Farmers' Union dealing with a request for the appointment of an assistant rabbit inspector for the Tinui district.

Mr Martin said it was very gratifying

.;> learn that much good work was done m the control of the rabbit pest during the period that the recent resident inspector was located at Tinui and he gave an assurance that the claims of the district to adequate inspectorial supervision would not be overlooked when an adjustment of districts was being effected. Referring to the formation of a Rabbit Association in Tinui, Mr Lee Marin said that much more could be accomplished by that means than by the application of coercive measures, and he felt sure that by the close co-opera-tion of the members of the association with the department’s officers still further progress would be made. Mr James Andrew pointed out that the number of assistant inspectors in the Wairarapa had been reduced from ■hiee to two. He could well remember now the rabbits increased last time the staff was reduced.

The president, Mr H. Morrison, said chat when Wairarapa’s full quota of three inspectors had been replaced splendid results had been achieved and the rabbits had been kept down wonderfully well.

Mr J. P. Peterson said that in the Eketahuna district the ragwort inspector came round too late in the year. When he did come he did good work but the trouble was that his district was too big for one man. Mr R. W. Kebbcll said that in the last two years no complaint could be made against the work of the inspectors.

After some further discussion it was decided to enlist the support of the members of Parliament for Wairarapa, Masterton and Pahiatua with a view to having another rabbit inspector appointed.