DIAGNOSTIC STATION

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28249, 10 April 1957, Page 9

DIAGNOSTIC STATION

Lincoln Policy Formulated

“If the board formulates a definite policy on the matter of a veterinary diagnostic service, the college is assured of very strong public support,” said the director (Dr. M. M. Burns), when he made suggestions for the administration of the centre to yesterday’s meeting of the board of governors of Canterbury Agricultural College. He suggested that there be established at the college a diagnostic centre, to be one of two to serve the South Island and to be under the general administration of the college. The work would be conducted by the staff under an officer-in-charge, all officers to be officers of the Department of Agriculture seconded to the college. Associated with the centre would be an advisory committee representative of the statutory boards (directly or through the Veterinary Services Council), Federated Farmers, Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Association, and the college. ‘‘Such an organisation would have many more advantages than disadvantages and, in particular, it would provide representation for all contributing parties,” said Dr. Burns. “It would meet the requirements of the regulatory functions of the Department of Agriculture and it would guarantee the conditions of employment of the staff. ‘‘Certainly there would be disadvantages in this proposed or- , ganisation but I do not believe that they are such as to make the ; proposal unworkable.” Lack of Progress i Lack of progress with the ; establishment of South Island ; centres was associated, in the main, with the aspects of financing and administration of the stations, said Dr Burns. Dr. J. F. Filmer (director of the Animal Research Division of the Department of Agriculture) had emphasised the importance of members of the staff of diagnostic stations being associated with the department so that certain regulatory aspects covering notifiable diseases and related matters were protected. There appeared to be a definite desire on the part of the Government that some of the cost of the stations should be borne locally; on the other hand was 1 an indication that the statutory boards did not favour making ! grants for stations w’hich were to ! be wholly under the control of 5 the department. After a long discussion, the board adopted the plan. A motion • that the recommendation of the 1 advisory committee be amended : to limit it to establishment and not to the running of the station was defeated.