AN AUSTRALIAN SUGGESTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3184, 1 April 1911, Page 9

AN AUSTRALIAN SUGGESTION.

COMPULSORY SHEEP DIPPING

At a meeting of the Council of the Ballarat. Agricultural and Pastoral Society, the compulsory dipping of sheep was discussed. One farmer stated : “He had purshased one thousand 2tooth wethers and dipped 500 of them. The wool of these realised Is per lb, while that of the undipped sheep brought only 4d per lb.” Another member said:—“The loss that is sustained every year ;n Victoria by owners of stock must bring home to them the necessity’ of taking some measures to improve the condition of their wool. They have had this lesson for a good number of years, and yet there are continually to be found men who will not dip their sheep.” It is a most extraordinary thing, writes the “Pastoralists Review.” that any necessity for compulsory dipping exists at this enlightened period in the history of wool-growing. The absurdity of expecting sheep to return full profit if they are subjected to the frightful irritation caused by . parasitic pests should, one would l think, be sufficient to induce every owner to dip his sheep. But there are many who begrudge the small expense of ridding their flocks from pests and preventing re-infection, and they are thus a constant source of danger and annoyance to those owners who take more pride in their sheep. It is for these “penny-wise-and-poundl- - owners that compulsory laws such as the Victorian and New Zealand Acts are necessary.