Geraldton Express (WA : 1906 - 1928), Monday 22 February 1915, page 3


THE DESTRUCTION OF '"BUlNNjY" AND ITS COST.

To the Editor.

Sir,— Rabbit Inspector Crawford's report discloses a tendency for increasing his staff' and working expenses. This will fall on the land-

owner, and the farmer in particular. The rabbits do not seem likely to do any harm in the Victoria District. The writer knows of the existence of rabbits in places for years that have made no headway and done no harm. The people will rise to the occasion and thin them down if the necessity arises. The rabbit question has already cost the State over £100,000, for which interest, a-ad sinking fund must be found. I ask : What useful purpose I has it accomplished other than finding soft berths for a herd of inspectors and others, who have not been able to show a profit', to the community on their work, or to in an\ way cheek the spread of the pest, which some people look on as a blessing in many ways. Our dry climate, sandy land and close settlement will never let them spread to such an extent as to cause any commercial loss. If Inspector Crawford gets the power he asks for, he will be .the man to use it, and the farmer, with his hundred and one expenses and taxes, will be faced with lowered value on his land, and in many eases the unfortunate home maker will have- to abandon his holding and go on the labor market. Most Governments are too ready to adopt the recommendations of their staff without sufficient consideration, and allow their officers to build up huge staff's of assistants, who cannot be got rid of easily. About £100,000 has already been spent on this Department, with the result that there is more rabbits inside the fence 'now than outside. I. say, leave thej farmers alone ; they will protect themselves from the rabbits, and cost the country nothing in cash or worry. — Yours, etc.,

WORRIED FARMER.