‘Veterinary Club Trends Disturbing’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31062, 18 May 1966, Page 6

‘Veterinary Club Trends Disturbing’

Disturbing trends had recently emerged in the veterinary club system because of the acute shortage of veterinarians in New Zealand, the chairman of the Veterinary Services Council, Mr A. C. Friis, of Tauranga, told the annual conference of the council in Christchurch yesterday.

In their endeavour to solve a staffing problem, some clubs were adopting methods which could not be condoned by the council, said Mr Friis. Some clubs did not always observe the automatic salary scale which was basically for the protection of veterinary clubs and designed to prevent unfair competition for the services of recruits. Such breaches had the effect of eroding the best interests of the club system and of placing the approved status of clubs and the veterinarians’ superannuation in jeopardy The demand for veterinarian services was created by problems of animal health associated with increased production; national disease eradication programmes; higher standards for meat inspection necessary for export markets; and commercial fields as more drugs were marketed.

It could be accepted there would be no further opportunities for bursars to be entered at either Sydney or Brisbane, salt) Mr Friis. It had been plainly indicated that New Zealand should, with its own veterinary school, provide for its own needs.

A substantial gain in veterinary staff in club practice from Brisbane and Sydney and Massey University was unlikely, said Mr Friis. Last year the council brought its greatest number of overseas veterinarians to New Zealand, and it appeared to be the only way of supplementing the supply. Mr H. Birkett Allan, the British veterinary advisory

officer to the Agriculture Department, had been brought to New Zealand to assess terms and conditions existing for veterinarians in club practice. The council intended to discuss with him means of attracting veterinarians to New Zealand from all sources. The council was negotiating with 17 overseas veterinarians, five of which had completed agreements.