Dept. Finds Sheep Losses Puzzling

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30559, 30 September 1964, Page 3

Dept. Finds Sheep Losses Puzzling

(Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, September 29. The Minister of Lands (Mr Gerard) believes the loss of sheep from the Tuhingamata Lands and Survey block at Taupo may not be higher than losses in that area generally, but police are continuing their investigations. The Auditor-General called for vigilance in his annual report to Parliament last year and said nearly 5000 were lost from this block before March, 1962. Sir Basil Arthur (Opp., Timaru) asked Mr Gerard in Parliament today ■ what the latest position was and suggested there were many theories to explain -the losses. It had been said losses were again abnormally high this year, and theories included the suggestion that 1030 poison was responsible.

Rabbit boards had denied this, said Sir Basil Arthur, “I am just as worried about stock losses as the member for Timaru,” said Mr Gerard. The department had instituted a new checking system and there was a complete check of stock in the Aratiatia and Rotorua districts. Inspectors were making unscheduled stock tallies on the Lands and Survey blocks and shearing tallies were being checked. The answer might be that a former manager' had cut his loss records and the current losses therefore appeared to be high, said Mr Gerard. Damaged Hides Barbed wire damage to hides was only one of the factors listed by the director of the Leather and Shoe Research Association as detrimental to the value of hides for export, replied the Minister of Agriculture. Mr Talboys, to Mr P. Blanchfield (Ono., Westland). Wire damage was no worse now than it was previously but all damage was becoming more serious because of the

competition of synthetics which could produce a clear grain. Mr Blanchfield had asked whether the problem was as serious as stated by the organisation and what steps his department was taking to safeguard standards.

Veterinary Staff No freezing works was expected to be without adequate veterinary staff for meat inspection in the coming season, said the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Taiboys). Recruitment was proceeding satisfactorily. The Same applied to the recruiting of meat inspectors, although probably more would be required than at present appeared available. Mr Taiboys was replying to Mr H. V. Donald (Govt., Wairarapa). Wine Firm Licence A no-remittance licence for £13,333 has been issued to the wine making firm of Penfolds (N.Z.), Ltd., said the Minister of Industries and Commerce (Mr Marshall). Replying to questions for

the Minister of' Customs (Mr Shelton), he said two further no-remittance licences would be issue over the next two licensing periods subject to the development of the Penfold’s project as planned. Education Boundaries No detailed consideration will be given to the recommendations of the Commissioner of Education on district boundaries till after the session, the Minister of Education (Mr Kinsella) told Mrs E. E. McMillan (Opp., Dunedin North). The Commissioner was a recommending authority only, Mr Kinsella said. Boards would be given the opportunity of representations on the recommendation, but it was not proposed to traverse evidence already given to the Commissioner, He would prefer that the objectors make known their case as one and not as separate interests. Mrs McMillan had asked if protests against the recommendation to transfer a large part of the Otago Province under control of the Otago Education Board to form a

new South Canterbury board would be given full consideration. TV Channels The Broadcasting Corporation is not negotiating with outside interests for the establishment of second television channels in Wellington and Auckland, the Minister of Broadcasting (Mr Scott) informed Mr W. W. Freer (Opp., Mt. Albert). Nor, said Mr Scott, had any dates been fixed for the operation of such channels in any centre where the corporation operated. Asked by Mr R. J. Tizard (Opp., Pakuranga) what progress was being made with second channels, Mr Scott replied that he could not help any further than the reply he had already given. He was then asked if they were aware Of any progress. Mr Scott: lam not responsible for the day-to-day operations of the corporation. I am aware the matter raised is under review by the corporation but I am not in a nosition to inform the House if there are any definite pro-