LIVE STOCK EMBARGO

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXX, Issue 4860, 18 June 1936, Page 2

LIVE STOCK EMBARGO

VETERINARY EXPERT’S VIEW. ADVICE OP SCIENTISTS DISREGARDED The restrictions on the importation of live stock from Great Britain were referred to by Colonel A. H. Reid, F.R.C.V.S., in an address to the Wairarapa Young Farmers’ Club at Wallaceviille. Colonel Reid said that although other affairs upon which public attention had lately been focused tended to overshadow the question of the embargo on the full entry of live stock from Home, it still remained of outstanding importance as affecting the present and future welfare of this country. “It is evident,” he said, “that the majority fail to realise what the embargo involves, how it affects our primary industry and consequently national prosperity, and how it is linked with tlhat intangible, though none the less precious, element known as goodwill. Many are just apathetic, and many more, without any sound reasons, save possibly in some cases, self-interest, oppose any suggestion to abolish these obnoxious regulations.

Meanwhile, our competitors in the field exploit to their own advantage the ground so unwisely yielded. Incontrovertible Fact*. “Here and elsewhere I have expressed my views supported by practical and scientific reasons to prove that there is nothing to justify the continuance of these restrictions. The facts are incontrovertible, and cannot be set aside simply by assertions, no matter how emphatic, to the contrary. Facts speak for themselves and claim priority over opinions. “Outside New Zealand persons unaware of the circumstances are inclined to charge the veterinary profession with responsibility for maintaining the embargo. As ia matter of fact, New Zealand veterinarians have for years advocated its removal. It is, however, a legitimate reflection upon those members of the community who, in spite of assurances to the contrary, insist 'that this unnecessary and undesirable measure shall remain in force. “The testimony of some of the world’s foremost authorities endorsing the view that live stock from Britain may enter the Dominion without risk of introducing foot-and-mouth disease has met, so far, with no response. Scientists, qualified by knowledge and experience, can do no more than advise. Why should their advice be disregarded and preference given to the opinions of others unqualified to speak?

Verdict of Committee.

“The verdict of a Parliamentary committee, the resolutions carried and regularly confirmed by the New Zealand Veterinary Association, and the conclusions reached by same of our leading blood-stock breeders, have not sufficed. Let us recall a maxim of Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor and philosopher, who flourished some 1700 years ago: To change one’s mind when convinced that some one else’s opinion is better, is honest. 5 ” Colonel Reid urged any who might be in doubt about the matter to free their minds from! misgivings and, far ■from raising obstacles, assist those in authority, who laboured under the restraint imposed by widespread though ill-founded prejudice, to release New Zealand from this unnecessary ban, which apart from serving no useful purpose, was inimical both to our national interests and to our friendly relations with Great Britain.