VIEWS OF FARMERS ON MENACE OF WANDERINC STOCK

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 March 1948, Page 6

VIEWS OF FARMERS ON MENACE OF WANDERINC STOCK

The view that little could be done at the present time to check the wondering slock menace was expressed this morning by members of the West. Coast Federated Farmers following receipt of a letter on the subject from the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce. The offence was. not condoned, it was stated, and stricter application of the law was regarded as the most effective remedy. “This is a big problem on the West Coast and throughout. New Zealand,” said the chairman, Mr AV, H. Martin, -who added that wire was not available for the repair of fences -to keep stock enclosed. “You see more stock on the roads now Than ever before,” he added. “and to make it worse there seems to be some reluctance on the part, of some merchants to handle wire because they can got a profit of only J’O a ion on it. 11 is getting to bo pretty tough on the farmer.'-’ “■Actuallv only one farmer out of 100 offends,” said the secretary, Mr ,L Mulcare.

‘•Some deliberately make use of the ‘long acre’,” admitted the chairman. “IL would not be wise to create the impression that we condone these offences. The road is not the place for stock,” said Mr M. Wallace. “If the law was a lille more rigidly enforced it might have a good effect. Wandering stock at night are a menace.” “There are farmers who even if they-could get wire cheaply would still allow their cattle to wander, but I do not think we can do much about it.” said the chairman. Mr H. G. Carter said that 75 per cent, of wandering stock came from uneconomic sections which were not worth fencing. That .question should be attacked first, lie suggested. The federation decided to acknowledge the letter, but advise that nothing could be done to improve the position under existing circumstances.