RESTRICTIONS AGAINST IMPORTATION OF STOCK SHOULD BE ENFORCED

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6902, 7 May 1929, Page 10

RESTRICTIONS AGAINST IMPORTATION OF STOCK SHOULD BE ENFORCED

A Warning

DANGER OF PRESSURE OX THE GOVERNMENT

The danger of the New Zealand government being persuaded to relax its present stringent regulations against the importation of stock likely to be infected by foot and mouth disease was stressed by Mr. L. Matson of Christchurch, in a circular letter which was laid on tho table at the annual meeting of the executive of the Manawatu branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union held in Palmerston North on Saturday. Farmers present, at the meeting were unanimously in accord with Mr. Matson’s views and decided to refer the letter to the forthcoming provincial conference of the union at Mastertou.

Mr. Matson, in the course of his letter, urged the Farmers’ Union to protest strongly in the event of any suggestion on the part of the government of removing or lessening the restrictions upon the importation of stock from other countries. These restrictions were very necessary, in view of the fact that foot and mouth disfea.se was very prevalent in other countries and one had only to read English papers to learn of fresh outbreaks in different districts of England, Scotland. Ireland, AValcs or the Continent. South America had the dread disease amongst, its stock while Australia was gradually breaking down its barriers aginst importation. Already some Australian moat had been rejected on account, oi: gland trouble but New Zealand at present enjoyed a. splendid isolation from such stock disease scourges. It was the only country in tho world free from serious stock diseases —why should it accept the risk of breaking this immunity.' In support of his remarks, Mr. Matson forwarded extracts from an English stock journal in which it was stated that Colonel Reid had accepted an invitation from the League of Nations to form a sub-committec to inquire into tho vetincrary aspects of tho export of stock, with a view to the abolition of the present restrictions on export from various 'countries. The writer warned New Zealand farmers, in view of this proposal, to beware of pressure being brought to bear upon the government in order to have the present stock import restrictions reduced. Apparently tiic English-authorities were under the mistaken impression that the establishment of a quarantine station at the port of export, would meet the requirement of the Dominions. Mr. Matson also quoted another article from an American journal dealing with the spread of tho disease among hogs. It was a good thing that an outcry had been made in New Zealand some'months ago against any suggestion of relaxing the import of stock restrictions, otherwise we might not enjoy our present freedom from serious stock disease.

Support For Letter

“We know that wherever this disease has appeared it has spread rapidly and practically ruined farmers and the live stock industry,” said Mr. 0. P. Lynch, president of the branch. It was known in New Zealand that foot and mouth disease had made it necessary to forbid the export of any stock ether than • horses from England. Breeders in that country, however, were working strenuously to have this ban lifted, so that on the New Zealand side the farmers should work cqually slrcnuouslv to oppose this course of action. As far as they knew Dr. Eeakcs, Director General of Agriculture, was strongly opposed to any removal of the ban and he thought farmers should get right behind him in this. It was to be hoped that the government would remain firm in its determination not to permit tho importation into New Zealand of stock from countries where lhis disease was prevalent. Mr. Gloyn strongly supported the president's remarks and in doing so, stated he was of the opinion that birds and other smaller animals might cari> the microbes of the disease. In this connection, ho viewed with alarm the bringing into the country of imported rabbits. Mr. Bond also supported Mr. Lynch and expressed the opinion that it was “ absorb ” to allow the importation of rabbits into New Zealand when they might carry foot and mouth disease and also in view of the fact that the commoner breeds of this animal had become n pest in this Dominion. Ici soiially, he had been extremely pleased to go‘on a board for the extermination of rabbits in his district. It was unanimously decided to reaffirm the statement issued by Mr. Matson and to refer it to the inter-pro-vincial conference at Masterton.