IMPORT OF STOCK.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 116, 17 April 1931, Page 6

IMPORT OF STOCK.

FEAIt OE DISEASE

The meeting of farmers and others interested in farm matters from all parts of the Manawatu in Palmerston North yesterday further discussed the proposal by the Board of Agriculture to remove the embargo placed on live stock imports some years ago for fear of the introduction of foot and mouth disease. Mr W. A. Waters stated that as a youth lie was settled with his father in the Argentine. Tlieir property carried 500 head of Hereford stock before tile advent of the disease, and within three months 450 head had been shot and burned. It was appalling in its incidence and if ever it broke out in the Kairanga the only remedy would be to cut the throat of every animal within a radius of 15 miles.

Mr 0. P. Lynch (the chairman) moved the following resolution: “That this combined meeting of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union and Dairy Farmers’ Union strenuously protests against the action of the Board of Agriculture in again requesting the removal of restrictions on the importation of live 6tock from Great Britain, thereby leaving New Zealand liable to the importation of that fell foot and mouth disease. We would stress that this board asked for the removal of restrictions last year, averring that no disease had occurred for two years, while in reality three fresh cases were proclaimed at that time.” Mr H. Gloyn (Rongotoa) seconded saying that he had had the dread experience of dealing with the disease in Devon. All stock within a circle thirty miles in diameter had to be destroyed or kept exactly where it was. Hie resolution was carried unanimously. REMOVAL OF EMBARGO OPPOSED. Per Press Association. . WELLINGTON, April 16. Ihe New Zealand Farmers' Union has been consistently opposed to the lifting of the present embargo on imported stock,” said Colonel W. Pow. Secretary of the union. He said that lie had noted that the Board of Agriculture Ijad passed a recommendation favouring the raising of the embargo, but he had written to the Minister asking that nothing definite be clone as yet, at least until the question could be discussed fully, at a meeting of the Farmers’ Union executive early next month. Colonel Pow added that the union had always looked upon relaxing anv regulations governing the importation or cattle with disfavour and would strenuously oppose the recommendstion of the Board of Agriculture.