SHEEP OWNERS' UNION.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20918, 27 July 1933, Page 5

SHEEP OWNERS' UNION.

O .MEETING OF EXEC UTIVE. A<;W-;F,MKNT WITH .siIBAULKS. i '['he executive of the Cantei;Uuiy ' Sheep Owners' Union mot yesteiday. Present: Messrs E. Hay (president), H. 1). Aclarid, G. H. Grigg, Sholto Douglas. G. Fulton, W. IVI. Acton-Adams, H. Acton-Adams. W, W. Mcßac, T. C. Nobinsoi). R. M. Morten, B. JS. H. Tripp, i i'.. i\ If. Buroury, F. 11. Courage, and F. I'd jr. Apologies were received from Uelhell, ,T. F. Cracroft Wil- : ,'.jii. Ij. It. C. Mactarlane. G. Murray, G. ] O. I!utherford. L. C. Gardiner. D. W. i Westenra. and B. Murray, j The ciirector, Cbrislchurch Technical College, wrote advising that one of the representatives of associations of employers would automatically retire from the board of governors after the meeting of the board on August 4. On the motion of Mi" F. Peter, seconded by Mr E. M. Morten, it was unanimously agreed to renominate Mr il. Setii Smith, tiie sitting member, tor re-election; and the secretary was authorised to attend at the college on Thursday, August 10, should an election be necessary. ! Wool Research. j '! ii" M.irlboroueli Sheep Owner-;' | I'ji.im wrote advising that it was op- ! po.-rd to any levy being made on wool j "rowers at the present time for wool ! research, and also to the suggest ion j that the New Zealand Meat Producers j Foard's funds should be- diverted to I as.-isl the objects of the proposed wool ' council. It also expressed strong opposition to any further Government interference with the industry by legislation or regulations. Gratification was ormvssed at the decision readied in Marlborough, which endorse'.', the attitude of the Canter- , bury Sheep Owners' Union with re- : suet, to any additional taxation on i sheep o-.vikts a! the present. 11 me, and ai.-o regard to any further Gov- ; en-mc.rU interference. Ii was agreed that if would be desiri abk' for ihe "'.leaf Foard to lie given ; lii,' ne(.e.'.sary authority to make g.rants ; Irom ii..; fund., for the purposes of 1 as.-i ;! i;;g the shecpowning industry in ! any direction which the board was sat- | istied would benefit production, but not necessarily for the purpose of wool | research alone i Tli'.; Marlborough Union also urj.g'd i the desirability of the publication of I (idler information as to the average i price per lb and a bale for wool sold at each wool sale in Chri.-tchurch. Tlie secretary explained what, had bet n done in the matter, and stated . thai. Ihe information now published j ;ollowing each sale was all thai, could reasonably be; expected in view ot the I mormons amount of additional work h would have to be done in givine bale price on an exact basi.-, o\v:::g : ''. i varying weights, etc. j 1 <>ot-aii(l-Mouth Disease. ! A. letter was received urging that j the federation executixe take every measure possible to ensure that the regulations at present in force regarding foot-and-mouth da-ease are not allowed to be infringed, in view of published statements that cattle were to be imported direct to the A'orth Island in the near futures The letter was received, and referred to the federation executive with a request that every enquiry should be made in connexion with importations of slock from infected countries wiih a view to minimising risk of ji.l. c'.ion irom outside sources. A letter was received from Marl--I"'rough emphasising the undesirabilily of making the dehorning of all cattle a compulsory measure, the opinion being expressed by the representatives of the Marlborough sheep owners that dehorning should be left to the discretion of the stock owner, and it was suggested that in those eases where it was necessary, the stock owner would dehorn his cattle in his own interests. In view of the possibility ol' the reintroduction of this measure, it was agreed to refer the matter to the federation executive as requested, the opinion being exprejs'ed that the application ot the principle of compulsion under penalty was t;nrailed for. Complaints were received from na moors i'f th'- ditliculty in obtaining .'applies of strychnine for rabbit poison,ne, and the secretary reported that he was making enquiries with a view to obtaining additional supplies through Australia if possible, in order to meet the temporary shortage now being experienced in the Dominion, owing to an unexpected demand for additional quantities following the recent rise in the value of rabbit skins, etc. The Agricultural Department had cabled for further supplies, which it was expected would be available in a few weeks. The report, was received and the action taken approved. Willi reference to the nomination of candidates to the Electoral College; of the Meat Producers' Board, it was unanimously resolved to request members to support the nomination sent forward by the three farming organisalions in Hie distric!. viz.: Messrs Colin Mcintosh 'Farmers' Union nominee), 1.. R. C. Macfarlane (nominated by the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association), and R IJay (Canterbury Sheep Owners' Union). It was resolved that the annual meeting of the union should be held on Wednesday, August 9, at the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association's rooms, Worcester street, Christchurch, at 8 p.m. Distemper. The president reported that with the secretary he had interviewed Dr. Leslie, of Lincoln College, regarding the possibility of obtaining supplies of vaccine for the treatment of distemper in dogs, and that as a result of subsequent enquiries, Dr. Leslie had stated that it had been decided to import further supplies of live vaccine for experimental purposes only. If the vaccine survived the journey and the varying temperatures during transit, it would then probably be placed at the disposal of owners. The scrum mentioned at the previous meeting of the i union, and which is credited as having curative properties, is available from Australia. Dr. Leslie was of opinion that everything possible was being done to get the live virus into New Zealand for inoculative and preventive purposes.

It was stated that many veterinarians in New Zealand wore of opinion (.hat Ihc distemper from which dogs were suffering in New Zealand might not be quite the same kind us that in Great Britain. If this should prove to be st». i( v.'ould necessitate further investigation. The true canine distemper iii Great Britain is caused by the virus, but it is suggested that a proportion of cases in New Zealand may be caused by the bacillus bronchi septicus, which attacks the lungs. Should this bacillus be a common cause, it should not be difficult to make a vaccine for its control. The position in this respect, however, does not appear to be quite clear at the moment, and Dr. Leslie stressed the point that the •jerum and vaccine would in any case only be obtainable by veterinary or medical men. Tin; report was received and appreciation expressed of the trouble being taken by Dr. Leslie and Lincoln College with respect to this matter. The secretary reported that as a result of a Lwo-days' conference between the parties, the Dominion dispute concerning the award rates of pay of shearers and shed hands for the coming season had been amicably settled, a full agreement having been reached on the basis of a sliding scale for a period of three years. The terms under which shearers will be engaged thi; year were the subject of complete agreement. Full details of the agreement made were expected to be available in a few days.