STOCK EMBARGO

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 144, 19 June 1936, Page 14

STOCK EMBARGO

1 LIFTING FAVOURED

CONTROLLED SHIPMENTS

(From "The Post's" Special Reporters.)

PALMERSTON N., This Day.

After a discussion on the advisability Of lifting the embargo against the ; direct importation of livestock from Great Britain, the annual meeting of the New Zealand Hereford Cattle Breeders' Association field at the National Dairy Show, Palmerston North, unanimously reaffirmed a resolution carried at its meeting three years ago expressing the opinion that the embargo should be lifted to allow stock to enter New Zealand from Great Britain in controlled shipments. The decision is to be forwarded to the Minister of Agriculture.

Mr. C. M. Cranston (Wanganui) suggested the complete removal of the restrictions. on the importation of cattle from England: He said he had had his eyes opened at the Sydney Royal Show, and he wanted to press for direct shipments of livestock, eliminating the three months' quarantine in Australia. He moved to that effect. In seconding the motion. Mr. H. B. Stuckey said that New Zealand breeders should strive to the quality of their livestock. At present New Zealand held pride of place on the London market, but other countries were improving their herds while New Zealand was standing still, and unless new blood was introduced the Dominion's position would be lost. It was pointed out by Mr. J. M. James (Masterton) that Australia had no embargo, and was rapidly improving the standard of her cattle. Surely New Zealand breeders had enough confidence in the veterinary officers controlling the import of livestock to know that disease would not be admitted to New Zealand. The Government would do nothing till the farmers moved. He admitted that farmers' conferences had rejected suggestions for the lifting of the embargo, but he considered; that was due to a failure to understand precautions taken to prevent the spread of disease. Though Australia had no restriction she had not suffered. Mr. Cranston's motion was replaced by the decision to reaffirm the previous resolution.