MEAT INSPECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10910, 15 November 1898, Page 6

MEAT INSPECTION.

QUESTION OP DESTRUCTION.

A NEW SOUTH WALES ROYAL COMMISSION. The membe.'s of the New South Wales Stock Boards' council of advice waited on tho Premier on November 3 with reference to the present system of inspecting meat for the detection of tuberculosis.

tw' w jy,- f. 1 ' 8011 t] ;° chairman, pointed out that while the members of the council wore anxious that every precaution should be taken to guard against diseased meat getting into generaj consumption, tlicy considered that the present practice or condemning the whole boast, because it was diseased in one spot only, was a drastic and unnecessary proceeding. It was, ho said, a step not considered necessary in any of the principal countries of tho world, and therefore it did appear that some good would he done if the Government would appoint a commission to inquire and see whether they, in this country, were not making a, mistake by adopting an isolated plan in condemning the whole of a boast if the slightest, sign of disease was observed. the council would also urge upon tho Premier s attention tho necessity for having men trained to conduct examinations for disease in cattle.

At the Premier's invitation, Dr. Ashburton Thompson, president of tho Board of Health, attended, and a more or lens conversational discussion followed. Dr. Thompson said as far as England was concerned the rule was not to condemn a beast except tlio signs of tuberculosis were generalised. Tuberculosis was, lie said, considered a constitutional fliseaso, and becauso a local manifestation of tho complaint was apparent in a beast, it did not at all follow that the animal was affected only 111 that particular part. Mr. Alison said that fully two-thirds of tho diseased cattle that pot. into Now South Wales came from Queensland. Generally speaking, the discussion showed that thero was a diversity of opinion as to whether a local manifestation of the disease warranted a destruction of the whole of the beast, or not; and that as the subject was of such great importance, the Government would be performing an urgent duty by appointing a commission to inquire into the whole subject. Mr. Reid raid he thought a good case had boon made out for inquiiy, perhaps, by a Royal Commission, so that they might go into the matter in the most enlightened manner. The deputation could take it as settled that a commission would be appointed to go into tho question, but he did not intend to pay the commissioners, becauso he bolieved they could find a number of gentlemen who would be willing to give their services in such a matter of general importance.