Wairarapa Daily Times. [ESTABLISHED 1878.] SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1893.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4513, 2 September 1893, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [ ESTABLISHED 1878.] SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1893.

In the last Hansard there is a debate on tbe rabbit post in which Mr Hogg and ; Mr Buchanan took.; part, Mr Buchanan as a practical Bl)eep farmer of course thorgugbjy ancjerstanda the question and Mr Hogg Ifnows m pen aboutitasbe pap glean from station rubbitora. It'ffas agrped pn both, sides that rabbits were there was a difference, of opinion an ' ■ "iiiae of the diminution, Mr 5 r*" : i niWiwl Buchanan,hold tu u . ■ „. enemy was doing good work, but m Hogg maintained that the superior administration of the present Government ought to Imvc the credit. " There was never," according to.the Member for Mastcrtou, "less friotion between the Inspectors and tbe settlers," It is gratifying 'as well as surprising to find that a drastic measure like the Rabbit Act can be worked pleasantly, However, we are not disposed to believe that any department under the Hon John Mckenzie is likely to have developed increased efficiency. It is well known in this district that under tbe rule of the Mimsterfor Lands some officials have been very unjustly treated and that the characteristic feature of tbe administration has been " negligence." Mr Buchanan taking up the defence of tbe officials very justly said that he was sure that no one who knew the history of rabbit-suppression in the Wairarapa could do anything pise but admit at once that, taking it upon tbe whole, the department had been very well served, indeed, by its Inspectors. Turning from that particular point,' he was very glad, indeed, to agree with another part of Mr Hogg's statement, and that was that tbe rabbits had not. increased—that, on the contrary, they Lad-very muoh decreased: The rabbits in the Wairarapa were undoubtedly- much fewer in numbers than they' were a few years ago, And he Jjd npt ljnow from bis own experience that the treatment of settlers by officers of the department;; was: riow one whit different'from what it had always been.:. Prosecutions'still.tcok place occasionally: in fact, .these rabbit cases had. recently reached the Supreme Court, Bhowing conclusively that tbe officers, in pursuing their duty, were determined that delinauent settlers should do their duty in this matter, \ccovding to Mt Buchanan, the country ia being saved by Messrs Stoat, Weasel and Go.; according to Mr Hogg, by Mess;s Seddon and MpKenzis. The one firm is about as reputable ag tip apdas long as the country is saved, lfc does not siich matter whether the credit be given a McKenzie or a Stoat,