CATTLE TICK.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18075, 17 April 1919, Page 5

CATTLE TICK.

SOUTHERN MEN ALARMED.

EMBARGO SUGGESTED. At yesterday’s meeting of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association a letter was received from Mr H. Matson suggesting that in view of the cattlo tick in the North Island stringent steps should be taken to prevent any importations of North Island cattle, witli a view to keeping the South Island immune from the pest. The president (Mr T. D. Bong) said that the Government was looking after the matter, and the letter should be received.

Mr C. H. Bn sot said that he had come from Queensland, a country that was affected with tick* nnd ho was of tho opinion that tho North Island trouble was the proper Queensland cattle tick, a most dangerous parasite, and if so, the Government should isolate all areas where there was infection and no clean cattlo that had not been dipped twice should be allowed to cross the boundary. Tho tick deteriorated the cattle nnd perforated the hide. There should be an immediate embargo on North Island importations, and areas should be denned. He blamed the Stock Department for allowing tho tick to spread, for it had existed for a number or years. It had been said that the tick would not thrive in cold countries, but it did very well in tho high country of Queensland, where the cold would burst water pipes. Ho moved that the Government should be asked to place an embargo on North Island cattle. Sir George Clifford, in seconding the motion, said that tho most drastic measures should be taken to prevent the danger of its being Queensland tick, but tho Government should ho able to say what kind of tick it wasMr Ensor said 'that in Auckland the tick had spread to sheep dogs and sheep, and shearers had refused to shear the sheep. , ■Does it extend to sheep in Queensland? ’ asked Sir George Clifford. “No,” said Mr EnsorI hen it may not bo Queensland tick,” said Sir George Clifford. Mr H. S. Kyle said that for tho last twelve months it had been departmentally recognised that the tick was Queensland tick without the accompanying red-water which caused the greatest ravages. Regulations were being framed, and officers had gone to Queensland to investigate itlho motion was carried, nnd on Mr John Deans’s • motion it was agreed to circularise other associations on the matter.