VETERINARY SCHOOL

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27631, 12 April 1955, Page 10

VETERINARY SCHOOL

ESTABLISHMENT IN N.Z. URGED

CANTERBURY CLUBS’ CONFERENCE

Training of veterinary surgeons at a school in New Zealand was urged by delegates from six Canterbury veterinary clubs at a conference held in Waimate. Mr H. B. L. Johnstone, of Waimate, presided and also present were Dr. A. Leslie, representing the Veterinary Services’ Council, and Dr. J. W. McLean, professor of veterinary science at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln. The early establishment of a veterinary school in New Zealand was suggested in a remit to the Veterinary Services’ Council. Mr P. J. Bonifant, of Ashburton, who moved the remit, said that leading scientists from overseas considered that New Zealand should have its own school. The whole economy of the country was built around livestock, and veterinary surgeons should be trained here. Mr M. S. Turton, of Ashburton, said the matter had been before the public for some time and a school had been promised by the Government. Mr C. Hilgendorf, of Ashburton, said that more money should be spent on animal husbandry and research into sheep farming problems. Dr. Leslie said that some progress was being made towards 'Setting up a school. EC a school was set. up fyere would be an entry of 20 students a year. Dr. McLean emphasised the importance of training men in New Zealand for special work in New Zealand, as the country’s own special problems could be appreciated. Diagnostic Station Another remit from the Ashburton and Malvern clubs asked that every endeavour should be made to have a diagnostic centre established at Canterbury Agricultural College. Dr. Leslie said there was no opposition to the proposal and progress had been made. It was considered that a start should be made in a modest way with two or three centres only, but he was not prepared at this stage to favour any one place against another. Dr. McLean said preparations were under way at Lincoln and ample facilities were available. There was every possibility that the premises could be ready for use by the end of this year. There was considerable discussion on the subject of ram testing. The conference decided that all rams that had passed a test in the autumn be identified by a tag attached to the wool, and that a sample tag be sent to all clubs in Canterbury asking them to co-operate. The conference also decided to ask that agricultural and pastoral associations insist that all rams for sale at ram fairs be tested by a veterinary surgeon on the morning of the fair. Members agreed that testing was beneficial and was a safeguard to purchasers. Dr. Leslie said he hoped that vaccination would soon overcome the problem.

A remit from the North Canterbury club asked the Veterinary Services’ Council to review subsidies to clubs on mileage travelled on each visit. Members considered that clubs extending over large and sparsely-populated areas, as in the South Island, were at a disadvantage with the closer-settled clubs in the North Island.

Next year’s conference will be held at Darfleld.