THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20316, 15 August 1931, Page 21

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

:o tub sorro-t vi' run, i,>.i.,r Sir,—What is the trouble now o\er the question of importation of T After all the bother that ti)e farmers were put to 10 convince the authorities that the embargo must be retailed, surely one would think that the matt-jr had been settled for some time. Yet onlj* the other day the -Minister for Agriculture assured the Farmers' Cniou that, owing to the latest outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain, tho embargo, would not now be lifted'. The Canterbury Shcopuwners' L'nion met lately, and by their remarks it looked as if they were getting ready for another fight. This is very disquieting, and make. l one wonder what is the influence bohind it all. Almost the whole weight of farming opinion has declared for "safety first," but the authorities hare shown themselves quite ready to ilout that opinion. The people who openly advocate importing stock are few iu number, and their two main reasons are that new blood is needed for the stock in this country, and that the precautions taken at Home are very thorough. As for new blood, opinion is well divided as far as stock are concerned, though perhaps some is needed in tho Department itself. The completeness of the quarantine is admitted by most, Some people have visited Britain and come back stressing this point on the strength of what they havo been shown, but this counts very little, as the same information can be had by quietly reading of it here. The British veterinarians hide nothing: rather they wish us 10 know what they are. doing. But nuuh as we must sympathise with them, there is too much at stake in New Zealand for tia to take such ;> risk on our stock. Again the attitude of the Department does not inspire confidence. Look what is happening in regard to Tireblight. This, of course, is not n menace like foot-and-mouth, but still, it is very serious. Tho outbreak was noticed beforo the leaves fell, giving plenty of time to locate it and stamp il; out. but vorv little was done. Fruitgrowers have to organise and tax themselves to go hunting for it, and this hunt is to extend through October, November, and December. Now, in September, the pears and apples will be in bloom and the insects 011 the wing, and llreblight will bo spread far ami wide. The Department of Agriculture has no money to spend on outbreaks of any kind, ro stock-owners now know what to expect.—Yours, etc., T.A.S.