DISEASE IN STOCK

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 148, 27 June 1929, Page 7

DISEASE IN STOCK

IMPORTATION QUESTION

■ When opening the annual conference of the Boyal Agricultural Society yesterday, the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. G* W. Forbes) asked for an expression of opinion regarding the importation of stock from Great Britain, in view of the danger of the introduc r tion of foot-and-mouth disease.

Later the president (Mr. W. Perry) moved that importation be allowed under restricted conditions.

Several delegates expressed the opinion that the risk was too great. Mr. J. G. Herdman (Canterbury) moved that.as the matter was of such importance delegates should be asked to get opinions from their associations and that those bodies should be supplied with eqpies of the restrictions.

Mr. J. M'Gregor (Waverley) said he did not think the restrictions should be tampered with. He asked why the country should take the risk. If there was one suspected case in the country it would mean national bankruptcy. The Dominion's trade was b.uilt up on the country's immunity from disease, and stock should not be brought in from infected countries. With the disease here the world's markets would be closed to us.

The president thought the feeling of the meeting might be tested. . Mr. _E. E. Alexander (Canterbury) asked if it had been proved that live stock carried the disease. They could be treated, but the disease could be brought in by other means.

Mr. J. Carr (Methven) opposed the motion, and Mr. J. D. Hall.(Canterbury) supported him. He asked the delegates to realise the loss that the destruction of cattle vrouia, cause; If the disease broke out in the "Waikato the fine herds there. would have to be destroyed. The risk was too great. Mr. Perry agreed with Mr. Alexander in saying that the disease could be introduced otherwise than by live stock, mentioning clothes and packing. Clothes of farm labourers coming to New Zealand had to be disinfected and packing burned, but there was always the chance of misadventure.

Mr. F. W. t Absolom (Manawatu) strongly opose'd the importation of stock, and said that it should be remembered that not one agricultural society had failed to back up the Council of Agriculture before.

The president's motion was defeated heavily, and Mr. Herdman's motion was lost..