STOCK DISEASES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 120, 17 November 1937, Page 5

STOCK DISEASES

SHORTAGE OF p EXPERTS

LOCAL TRAINING WANTED

The shortage of veterinary surgeons in New Zealand was the subject of a question raised by Mr: J. A. Roy (National, Clutha) in the House of Representatives yesterday when the Agriculture Vote was being considered. Mr. Roy said that stock diseases were on the increase in the Dominion. . That was' only to be' expected, with' the heavier carrying capacity of the land, but he wanted to know if anything had been done to increase the number of veterinary surgeons. He did not think there were enough in the Dominion.

The Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. L. Martin), in reply, said that .the shortage of these surgeons was causing the Department much concern. The authorities realised that there were not the requisite number .of veterinary surgeons in New Zealand. "The Department simply cannot get them," he said, "though it has offered fair remuneration. There. are a number of New Zealand veterinary students at the Sydney University and at Home, and in a year or so they will be qualified and their services will be available to the producers of this country. Every effort,that the.Department can make to increase the number is being made." ..,..-■

VETERINARY CHAIR.

The suggestion was made by Mr. C. H. Burnett (Government, Tauranga) that a Veterinary chair should be established at Otago University.. New Zealand, he said, was at present compelled to send students for training in this important profession overseas. This was, expensive, and there did.' not appear to be any reason against the provision of facilities for training within the Dominion. With her encfrmous output of primary produce, New Zealand should realise the importance of having well-trained veterinary surgeons at hand, for these men could render a valuable service to the country and their knowledge and the application- of their science to primary industry would result in increased reI turns..

In reply to a question, the Minister said that at present twelve New Zealand veterinary students were being trained overseas. The Dominion was not bearing the whole cost of their training..

Mr. H. S. S. Kyle (National, Riccar■ton) complimented the Department on the excellence of the publication of the "Journal of Agriculture." The Department had a very able officer in charge of its publicity, he said, and he believed the "Journal" could be made still more valuable to farmers. It was not too technical, and that was part of its value, because the average farmer did.not want to read instructions that were too technical.

The Vote was passed.