VETERINARY COUNCIL

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28050, 18 August 1956, Page 2

VETERINARY COUNCIL

MEMBERSHIP REVIEW SOUGHT

REMIT ADOPTED AT CLUBS’ CONFERENCE

A full review of farmer, veterinarian and Government representation on the Veterinary Services Council and a seat for a South Island farmer nominee, are sought in a remit adopted at the first conference ol South Island veterinary clubs in Christchurch yesterday. "We provide a large share of the finance, and we should have a larger say,” said Mr J. B. Bennett (Blenheim. The conference adopted unanimously his motion: “That three farmer representatives be appointed by the clubs—one from AucklanoHawkes Bay, one from WellingtonTaranaki and one from the South Island; that the club veterinarian representatives on the council be increased to two; that farmer representatives be appointed by the veterinary clubs; that the veterinary representatives be appointed by the club veterinarians; and that, if possible, some variation in Government representation on the council be considered by the council.” At present, said Mr A. Linton, chairman of the Veterinary Services Council, there were three Government nominees, four nominated by the statutory boards, one by the New Zealand Veterinary Association, anu two elected by the veterinary elub.s throughout the Dominion. There were two ways to give the clubs greater representation, he saiff. One was to reduce the board and Government representation, and the other to increase the size of the council. The Government contributed £50,000 and the four statutory boards £50,000 between them, to the council said Mr Linton. It was unlikely that they would accept any decrease in their representation. On the other hand, it had to oc remembered that six of the 10 men on the council were from Auckland. He felt that there was something to be said for geographical representation.

The veterinary clubs were now big business, and their influence was greater than anticipated when thi council was established, said Mr C. H. Jenkins (Balclutha). Because of that they should surely have a greater voice in their own affairs —in spite of the £lOO,OOO subsidy from the Government and the boards.

“Direct representation for the South Island is needed on the council,” said Mr C. H. Bethell, of Waikari. New Zealand Wool Board no-iinee on the council. “South Island problems in this field are vastly different from North Island problems, and as the annual meeting of the club is now constituted, it is almost impossible for a South Island man to be elected as a farmer representative.” Mr Bethell said he agreed with Mr Linton that, if farmer representa tion was to be increased, veterinarian representation should also be increased. But he did not think it likely that the clubs would find support for a decrease in Government representation. It should be borne in mind, he said that in 10 years or so the functions of the council might be considerably different —probably directed more towards research than administration After Mr Bennett had amended his motion, at the suggestion of Mr Lin ton, to provide for increased veter inarian representation, it was passes unanimously.