HEAVY STOCK LOSSES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 26 October 1938, Page 4

HEAVY STOCK LOSSES

STATE ACTION SOUGHT (United Pr**Bn Association! AUCKLAND, 24th October. The seriousness of the losses of cattle through grass staggers and allied diseases in the Morrinsville and surrounding districts was brought to the notice of the Piako County Council in a letter from the Morrinsville branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union. The letter stated that between July and September between 2000 and 3000 cattle were lost through Che disease, this representing a value of at least £26,000. The council was urged to give its fullest support to the following resolution, which has been forwarded to the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin: — “That this meeting of the Morrinsville branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union wishes to bring to the notice of the Minister of Agriculture the serious loss of stock as reported among the farmers in the Morrinsville and surrounding districts, and to urge upon the Minister the advisability of sta- J tioning at least two veterinary surgeons in Morrinsville to advise and assist ] farmers. This meeting also asks that investigational work be undertaken immediately to ascertain the cause of the exceptional dairy stock losses.” The council decided to offer its full support of the resolution. The posi-; tion, it was stated, was even more j serious than the figures indicated, be-; cause a large percentage of dead stock ! was never sent to the boiling-down j works on account of the difficulty in | reaching the collecting lorries.