“10,000 Eczema-affected Sheep in Manawatu”

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 92, 20 April 1935, Page 3

“10,000 Eczema-affected Sheep in Manawatu”

FARMERS ARE AGITATED BY PERSISTENT DISEASE

There was a large attendance at the meeting on Thursday of tho Amalgamated Farmers’ Union (Manawatu executive) and the Dairy Farmers Union. Mr N. Campbell presided. Also present were Messrs E. O Bond, H. Seifert, H. J. McLeavey, J. A. Me Leavcy, J. D. Balmcr, W. G. Short, J Boyce, W. G. Shannon, L. F. Ballinge? J. D. Avery, B. G. Gower, J. T. Kent, P. V. Koehler, L. G. Beard, L. H. Best, P. Campbell, A. G. Dear, F. H. Legg, H. J. Bowling, J. Hodgson, W. B. Faulding, B. Lynch, W. H. Gimblett, A. N. Morcom. Tho Ashhurst branch (D.F.U.) forwarded the following remit: “This branch desires to know if the Co-operative Wholesale Society (England) handles New Zealand butter and cheese, and if not, this branch feels that an endeavour should bo made to induce them to do so.” Mr Campbell said the Wholesale Society had agents in New Zealand, and was purchasing from the factories to the limit of its allocation from the Control Board. The position was quite satisfactory. A remit from the Linton branch was that the wireless breakfast session bo extended until 9.30 a.m. Speaking in support, Mr L. F. Ballinger said the idea was to give dairymen with large herds an opportunity of breaking fast to a musical accompaniment. General support was given, aud the remit was confirmed unanimously. Eczema at Levin.

The Levin branch (Farmers’ Union) advised having carried tho following resolution at a recent meeting: “That the Director-General of Agriculture be communicated with asking that more urgent steps be taken to combat tho spread of eczema among sheep and cattle, and that an agrostologist be appointed to this district to act with a veterinary officer in an endeavour to ascertain the exact cause of tho complaint. ’ ’

It was stated in the letter that the disease was still developing as rapidly as when first noticed six weeks ago. Many believed it to be not the direct result of a strong growth of grten grass after the hot dry summer. Sheep grazing on fresh green pastures for several weeks were developing the disease as rapidly as those affected when the complaint was first noticed. Many farmers were seriously alarmed at the effects of the disease on their flocks, and the executive was asked to consider the matter. Every Cause for Alarm. Mr Shannon said he estimated that there were 10,000 sheep at present affected in the Manawatu and there was every cause for alarm. New flocks were becoming affected daily. Mr Seifert said that of two flocks on his property, one had been seriously affected, and losses had been terrifle while the other was still immune. All sorts of theories had been advanced, but the peculiar and haphazard incidence of the disease discountenanced them all. The remit was carried, but with the amendment from Levin to Manawatu district. Roadside Signs. The Waikanao branch sent a remit that the Government should make illegal the destruction or damage of automobile roadside signs.—Agreed. Rifle Meetings. A further remit from Waikanae asked that riflemen be allowed to travel free on the railways to the Trcntham meeting. Mr Kent said that many rural workers, while good marksmen, wero deprived from attending owing to prohibitive expense. Thcro was always a danger of war, and our young men should be trained to shoot. (Laughter). Several members said there were other groups moro deserving of tho concession than rifle clubs. The remit was then withdrawn. Lotteries Supported.

AVaikanao in a further remit suggested that art unions should bo abolished and a system of proper State lotteries substituted, the profits to finance hospitals and charitable aid.

Mr H. J. McLeavoy said tlio system of art unions every few months was most uneconomical. Moreover, New Zealand should attempt to get back some of the money sent out of the country by conducting lotteries that would attract overseas people. Mr Bond opposed the use of lotteries for hospitals and the care of the sick. This was a community responsibility that should be financed out of the consolidated fund, and not reduced to the level of a gambling spirit. Mr Boyco said that he was strongly in favour of the remit. It was by no means an undignified means of hospital finance. It would be a system of insurance for the community, and care of tho sick was a work that must go on even when other public services had lapsed. For that matter tho present system of hospital finance was by no means assured or equitable. If the money could be raised by a State lottery.it would admittedly be a gamble, but every phase of life was a gamble. Principlo Opposed. Mr J. D. Avery said that no arguments could bo presented to justify the principle. Lottery charity was a shirking of responsibilities, and because money went out of the country was no valid argument for conducting internal lotteries. Mr Campbell said that New Zealand people who sent tlieir money to support Australian hospitals were usually those who when they fell sick would have to bo supported for by their fellows. If the Government was not prepared to make a clean sweep in the abolition of gambling, and it obviously was not, then lotteries should be authorised. The remit was carried. Transport of Rural Scholars. The Commissioner of Transport, in reply to a communication, said there was no definite scale over all districts for fares for the carriage of children to and from school by road. In each case consideration had to be given to local factors affecting transport costs, and it could be readily realised that variations in fares on different routes were necessary. A statement of pupils' fares to and from Palmerston North was attached, with some comparative fares from other districts. Discussing transport of scholars, Mr

Beard said it was a great inconvenience that mral buses entering Palmerston North could not, even though willing, go beyond their terminus in the Square to leave pupils at their particular school. Tho Rongotea driver was willing to leave passengers outside the Girls' High School to save loss of time but he (had, no authority to do so. It was an anomalous position. It was decided to approach the Transport Department seeking an amendment of the regulations. A tentative dato fixed for tho interprovincial conference was May 28 and 29. Remits must reach the secretaries at least a fortnight beforehand, A committee was set up to prosecute arrangements. Foot and Moutli Disease Feared. Arising from this week's cable from England, a discussion ensued ou foot and mouth disease and the proposed lifting of tho embargo. Most of the old arguments were reviewed, although ■several new facts were cited, and finally the meeting passed, by a wellnigh unanimous vote, a motion of pren test against the lifting of the embargo.