THE STOCK CONFERENCE,

Otago Witness, Issue 1971, 14 November 1889, Page 17

THE STOCK CONFERENCE,

This body, ia which New Zealand is represented by Mr Cowan, M.H.R, and Mr Pasley, i began its sittings (writes our Melbourne correspondent on the 24th ulfc.) on Friday last. New Zealand deceived what may be termed a " slap in the face "at the outset. This was over the existence of scab in sheep in the colony. One of the Tasmaniau representatives opened the question by denying a printed report that scab existed in Tasmania. Tho following discussion then took place :-— ! Mr Cowan slid it was hoped at the last conference that scab would have been eradicated from New Zealand before this, but he regretted to say that it was still present in several districts. He must be frank and say that the present state of affairs did not reflect any credit on them, as they had been dealing with the disease for over 30 years. The mountainous character of tho country was somewhat against the efforts made to eradicate the disease, but the Government hoped to be abb to cope with it now. The ■ maximum number of affected sheep now would be about 30,000. Mr Pasley was quite sure the inspectors of sheep were doing all they could to eradicate the disease. The country was so mountainous, however, that it was almost impossible to get at all tbe sheep. Mr Bennett (M.H.A., Tasmauia) considered this a most important subject. The statements made by the representatives of New Zealand showed a very unsatisfactory state of affairs. It was only a matter of management to eradicate scab, and it waß desirable to urge on the Government , of New Zealand to take some more euergetio steps to eradicate the disease. Mr Bruce '(Chief Inspector of Stock, New South Wales) wished to know if the scabby sheep were now being destroyed in New Zealand. Mr Cowan said that was one of the means being adopted, and the Government were compensating the owners for the sheep deatroyed. Mr Bennett moved—" That this conference requeßts the New Zealand Government to take more energetic measures to eradicate the disease of scab that still exists in some of the New Zealand districts." ' Mr Stirling (chief inspector of stock, Victoria) ecconded the motiou. There must be some laxity, somewhere, and he could not understand how, if proper measures were taken to eradicate the disease, it had existed fur to many- years in New Zealand and still existed. The impression on the minds of practical men in these colonies was that ihere was some mismanagement somewhere. Mr Handyside ' (Jtf.H. A., South AustraMa) considered (he motion too strong, and hoped it would be dissented from. Mr Cowan would like to know in what direction it was intended that more energetic steps should be taken. No men could bring more energy into their work, or more knowledge of the.iubject, than the inspectors of sheep in 2Sew Zea'and He must dissent from the motion, as the terra? of it were too strong. Mr Pasley considered the motion too strong. The officers were taking every step possible to eradicate the disease. Mr Bennett said he had no intention of offending the representatives of New Zealand, but he considered more energetic measures should be taken to eradicate the disease, as New Zealand was iathe same position now that she was in at the time of the last conference. , Mr Bruce could see no offence in tha motion. It was a danger to New Zealand to have this scab, and aUo to the other colonies. The motion was carried.

The entries for the Oamaru Agricultural Shaw, total about 850, or nearly 70 in excess of last year's. There are increased entries in draught and thoroughbred horses, cattle, sheepi aud dairy produce.