Import Embargo on Stock

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 189, 9 May 1934, Page 11

Import Embargo on Stock

Sir, —In reading the report in “The Dominion” regarding the lifting of the embargo on stock, I was surprised to see the changed attitude of the Dominion president of the Farmers’ Union, Mr. W.. J. Polson. We know that only some of the veterinaries are in favour of lifting the embargo, but they have nothing to lose. We know that some influential persons have been doing their utmost to have the embargo lifted. It seems to me, Sir, that money makes the mare go. To my knowledge the British Veterinary Department has been trying this last 40 years to stamp out this dreaded disease without much success.

It is all nonsense to say we want fresh blood in the Dominion ; we can breed just as good cattle here. We know half the breed goes down the throat. There appeared in “The Dominion” some time ago a message regarding the drastic slaughter of cattle, isolation having been found useless. Tlie Minister (Sir Robert Sanders) declared that the Government was prepared to continue the slaughter policy up to at least £1,500,000 in compensation. There were 58 fresh outbreaks that day, making a total of 1074. in 39 counties. Up to date 70.000 animals had been slaughtered, including 35,000 cattle. I think that message speaks for itself.—l am. etc., J. *T. KENT. Mav 7.