ALSATIAN DOGS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 93, 17 October 1934, Page 16

ALSATIAN DOGS

LEGISLATION IN N.S.W,

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

SYDNEY, October (5.

The fate of Alsatian dogs in Now South Wales is in the balance following the introduction into Parliament of a measure providing for the sterilisation of all Alsatians in districts where thero arc dingoes. The Bill was a Government measure inspired, no doubt, by the Country Party section of the Ministry. For years graziers and other men of the land have urged tlio destruction of Alsatians, alleging that they are responsible for attacks on sheep. Tho Alsatian has always had many defenders, and it must have come as a surprise to tho Cabinet to find that so many members of tho State Assembly were champions of tlio breed. Not for months has a discussion.in the House been so animated, nor has one aroused such general interest. For nearly eight hours the debate proceeded before crowded galleries, and in the end ii way was found for postponing a decision. With the Minister in charge of the Bill apparently determined to havo his own way, tho result was a triumph for the opposition. From the beginning of tlio debate it was apparent that there has been a great deal of lobbying in the interest of "the Alsatian, for several of tho mem-

bers who appeared for tho defence, ns it were, wero armed with facts and statistics which made it appear that the Alsatian was tho most lovable and most amiable creature the world had over seen. One member gave the history of the Alsatian breed, going back thousands of years. He suggested that Alsatians were so well behaved that they were man's best friend. They did valuable work for the police. The stories of their vicious attacks wero all of them exaggerated by those who were jealous of the sueccess of the breeders of Alsatians.

There was an occasion during the debate when members were disinclined to discuss tho matter with any seriousness. It waf then that the Minister of Agriculture rose and reminded tho House that it had a serious responsibility. Australia, he said, had lived "on tho back of the sheep," and still depended very largely on tho wool industry. Numerous pests had boon admitted to Australia in the past, and Australia was sorry for any laxity that had been shown in that direction. All that was» asked now was that a potential menace to the sheep industry should be dealt with. In effect, he told the House that, it had to decide between Australia's greatest, industry and the Alsatian.

"Do you seriously think that, the Alsatian is going to destroy the industry?" ho was asked, and he replied" that there wore so many posts now that the country could not take further risk.". The House then decided that if; must have more information, so a decision was postponed.