PRECAUTIONS URGED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 210, 17 June 1933, Page 2

PRECAUTIONS URGED

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE.

DISCUSSION BY PASTORALISTS.

(Special to the "Guardian.")

AUCKLAND, June 16

A discussion took place at the meeting of the council of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association as to the best policy to be adopted regarding foot-and-mouth disease. A remit to the Royal Show Society was received from the Marlborough Association that no stock should be imported into New Zealand from any country where the - disease had been prevalent for two years after the date of an outbreak.

Mr J. P. Kalaugher wrote stating how serious the disease had been in the countries where it had occurred, and what drastic action had had to be taken.

The chairman (Mr S. Austin Carr) said that he knew opinion on the council was divided and he would like an expression of opinion. He said that on the minutes was a request to ask the Governor-General to address the council on the subject. His Excellency habr been one of the founders of the quarantine station for cattle -at Home, and an address from him should be worth listening to.

"I think /that the Government realises the seriousness of the disease," said Mr W. W. Massey, M.P. "The Agriculture Department knows how serious it would be for the country should this disease reach here. The regulations are severe enough at present."

Difficult to Control. "I feel very strongly about this,/' said Mr S. Irwin Crookes. "I have studied the quarantine arrangements in England, but if this country once was inflicted with foot-and-mouth disease we would never stamp it out. The conditions in England and the general contour of the country are such that much better control could be kept of the disease. You can imagine what would happen if the disease got into the back country of New Zealand among the Avild deer and the pigs. With all due respect to the GovernorGeneral—l am not speaking personally of any Governor-General—l do not think that the Governor-General is the proper person to address such an organisation as this on a matter which i-s controversial. It would be bad form, and perhaps impertinent, to get up and argue with him, though we may not agree with him." He strongly opposed any lifting of the embargo. After further discussion, Mr H. King moved that the delegates should be instructed to move an amendment if necessary to a remit that the Government recommendations should not be interfered with. The motion was carried.