SERIOUS OUTBREAK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 121, 22 April 1938, Page 7

SERIOUS OUTBREAK

ECZEMA IN WAIKATO. FARMERS FACE BIG PROBLEM. Per Press Association. HAMILTON, April 22. Statements that the production of butterfat in the Morrinsvillo district had dropped 30 per cent, in the last three weeks and that numerous herds had been completely dried off as a result of me outbreak of facial eczema, and that the disease was rapidly spreading throughout South Auckland were made at a mass meeting of daily and sheep farmers at rvereone. It is estimated that 20,000 sheep have been discarded at the freezing works on account of the disease. Dairymen in many cases are reported to be using condensed milk in their houses owing to their cows drying off. It is also stated that dogs and pigs have been affected. At the close of the meeting a representative committee discussed the position with departmental officers, who proposed stationing a veterinary staff at Morrinsville immediately. l)r H. E. Annett (Matangi), Mr F. H. Anderson (Cambridge) and Mr • Hayward (Walton) were appointed as an executive committee. A meeting of the main committee and the departmental officers will be held at Hamilton on Tuesday. LARGE ATTENDANCE.

The gravity of the situation was evidenced by the large attendance, which was estimated at 700 and was representative of a very wide area, at the Kerepne meeting. The ball proved too small for the crowd, the meeting being held in the open air. Mr S A. Ferguson presided and among those present were the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. W. Lee Martin), Mr A. H. Cockayne (Director-General of Agriculture), Mr W. C. Barry (Director of the Live Stock Division), Mr T. W. Collins (Auckland district superintendent) and other departmental officers. Mr R. Coulter, M.P., and Hon. J. Cotter were also present. The Minister of Agriculture expressed regret that the outbreak had occurred, and assured his hearers that the department was anxious to do all it possibly could to bring an end to the trouble and to see that there was no recurrence. He said that when his attention was first drawn to the matter he had arranged with Messrs Cockayne and Barry to visit the Waikato. A meeting with representative farmers was held in Hamilton last week. , . . At that time, added the Minister, sheep were chiefly affected, and it was only during last week that cattle had become diseased. As a result of the meeting two officers, a specialist m cattle diseases and a inicrologist, had been sent to the district and had been assisting-' the resident veterinarian to deal with the trouble. Every effort would be made to obtain additional officers. Mr Lee Martin said lie resented any suggestion such as had been made that there had been a lack of interest on the part of the department. No pressure wa,s necessary to stimulate action. The department would get much further than it had ■ done if it had the co-operation of farmers. MINISTER’S ASSURANCE.

“I promise that no stone will be left unturned as far as the department is concerned in preventing a fresh outbreak,” said the Minister. He added that the same disease had been experienced in South Alrica lor 18 years, and experts there were no nearer a solution than when they 03gan. A peculiar feature was that ■several farms might be affected in one locality and one would be left untouched. The Minister promised that a comprehensive and continuous survey would be made to ascertain the cause and incidence of the disease. It might be necessary to import specialists to assist those in New Zealand. As. far as the financial aspect of the position was concerned lie could make no promises, but he assured his hearers that the Government would never turn an unsympathetic ear to any of the farmers who were in distress.