Wild Pig Menace In Fiji

Letter to the Editor THE public should know how the Police Department and the cry, “Grow more food” work out on Vanua Levu. This particular end of Vanua Levu is infested with wild pigs and the planters and the natives, too, keep many dogs, which do the job of hunting the wild pigs.

Some years ago, while Major Willoughby Tottenham was a member of the Legisla tive Council, a measure was put through giving exemption from Government dog tax and the registration of dogs, from Savu Savu to the Navodo end of Vanua Levu. No dog licences were payable or collected from about 1933 till last year, when I heard of several summonses being issued for non-registration of dogs and the non-payment of either the 5/- or 10/- tax (it differs, according to sex).

I have only to-day seen a batch of summonses in the hands of a policeman who is serving these right and left for the non-registration of dogs and non payment of respective licence amounts due per dog.

“Grow more food” cries the Govern ment. For whom or what? Wild pigs or human consumption?

No one cares to pay such taxes —especially the natives, who will kill their dogs in most cases rather than pay. The result is more wild pigs and those who do grow foodstuffs will only be growing wild pigs’ food.

I suggest that this be a matter for the Department of Agriculture. That Depart ment did a good job with the Levuana moth, and the thrip did a good job on Kesters Curse; and several other good jobs can be placed at the Department’s credit.

Nothing is ever done about the wild pig menace and it’s time something was done other than the penalising of dog owners.

Here is a chance for the Department to

step in and get rid of wild pigs, support a programme of breeding pig-dogs, and appoint official pig-hunters (since to hunt them on private account means most natives cannot afford to own dogs privately).

I am, etc.,

Fiji, 2/3/49

Ganibulu.