CONDITIONS ON FARMS

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 33, 2 November 1934, Page 12

CONDITIONS ON FARMS

Scope For Improvement

“I agree that, this country has less tubercular disease in its dairy herds than any other country, but that is hardly a reason why we should shut our eyes to something that is a menace,” declared the Minister o£ Finance, Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, when speaking during the second reading debate on the Agriculture (Emergency Powers) .Bill in the House of Representatives. Mr. Coates said it must be to the advantage of the New Zealand producers if they were able to tell the consumers of their produce that they had eradicated all disease. Members knew in their own minds that there was room for improvement in the conditions on the farms. Was it not wise to check up now and make it possible for those farmers desirous of improving their conditions to do so in order that they might produce the most wholesome product In the world? Mr. W. J. Polson (Govt, Stratford): The industry takes no exception to that. Mr. Coates said the Dairy Board already had Inspectors, but under the Bill these inspectors would be given the powers of Government inspectors. The Government said to the industry it would place at its disposal money to carry out improvements necessary to produce the best possible article. The Legislative Council met yesterday at 2.30 p.m., and adjourned a minute later, there being no business on the order paper.