Department “ Starved"

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 235, 5 October 1936, Page 2

Department “ Starved "

CONCERN IN TARANAKI “Tho stock division of tho Department of Agriculture is absolutely starved," commented Mr R. D. Dagg, when the subjoct of Jolmo’s disease was raised at a meeting of tho (South Taranaki executive of the Farmers' Union. The subject was only briefly discussed but it was apparent that tho fact that 103 head of cattle at Otakeho had been condemned and slaughtered had brought home to farmers the seriousness of the disease. Criticism of tho Department of Agriculture for not having given greater publicity to the disease was expressed by Mr A. Jlastie. Owing to understaffing, the department, he alleged, had not been able to give proper attention to stock ailments. He said that in one ease a farmer had notified the department that two of his cows were losing condition, but the department had not sent out an officer. Subsequently the cows had died. Referring to tho lack of publicity, ho said he had not known there were 13 herds in the district suffering from the disease until he read of a whole herd being slaughtered. The trouble was that the stock division was understaffed, said Mr Dagg. It was tho most important department in the country, and the Government should vote sufficient for it to function properly. He referred to the seriousness of Johne's disease. There was a shortage of qualified veterinarians in New Zealand, said the president, Mr W. A. Sheat, It was a problem to which insufficient attention had been given. Most of the men were on meat inspection service. Ho suggested deferring consideration of the question until the next meeting, pointing out the department was increasing its South Taranaki staff to cope with tho need that had arisen. Inquiries could be made in tho meantime into Johne's disease as it affected the executive's area.