STOCK IMPROVEMENT BILL

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 6 November 1933, Page 7

STOCK IMPROVEMENT BILL

FARMERS’ UNION REJECTION

BRIEF DISCL'SSIONT AT HAWERA

The provisions of the proposed Stock Improvement Bill were briefly discussed at a meeting of the South Taranaki executive of the Fanners’ Union at Hawera to-day, when a motion advocating the executive’s support of the measure was overwhelmingly defeated. The Bill, which is sponsored by the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand, is aimed at the elimination of scrub stock sires. It proposes that at a date not later than two years from the passing of the Act it shall not be lawful for any owner to sell, offer or expos© for sale publicly or privately for breeding purposes any male stock unless the owner had a certificate of merit in respect _of such stock, and that such stock has been branded or marked accordingly. Provision is made for the appointment of an advisory committee of seven members (two North and two South Island representatives. to be appointed on the recommendation of the breed societies and three to be appointed on the recommendation of the Minister of Agrieidture). This committee, through district committees and inspectors, would issue certificates of merit to approved stock. Amy animal submitted for inspection and refused certification would be destroyed or unsexed. Mr D. Wards moved that the executive support the Bill. It had many advantages, lie said, and it was a measure that progressive farmers should welcome. On the face of it the Bill might seem somewhat drastic, and possibly it was, but it would have farreaching beneficial effects. Any loss that might be sustained through the elimination of stock under the Act would be compensated for later by the increase in the value of the certified stock and progeny. “One has only to go to sales to see the mongrel stock bought for dairying purposes,” said Mr Wards. “Perhaps the'position is not as bad in Taranaki as elsewhere, bur too often sires are bought for us in a herd when they are fit only for the meat works. The sooner scrub sires are eliminated the better for the industry, and the proposed BilL will draw no hardship on those really desirous of improving the quality of their stock.

Mr. B. J. Booth said that wide powers were apparently given the stock committee in the issue of certificates and therein lay a danger. The committee, if it desired, could even overcome the embargo on the importation of stock. Mr. J. Cocker, in seconding that the Bill be supported, said that although there was a danger of the committee’s wide powers under the Act the object of herd improvements were along the right lines. Some of the bulls used in this district were of a type not fit for anything but the meat works, and all right thinking farmers would agree that til© abolition of the scrub animal was essential. “As far" as I can see this Bill is proposed by a lot of breeders to put pedigree stock on the pedestal,” said Mr. E. K. Cameron. “A case of a few grinding their own axes,” remarked Air H. Hodge. Mr. H. Hooper said that some pedigree stock was not as good as grade animals. , On the voices the meeting rejected the only the mover a.nd seconder of the motion being in favour 3of its adoption.