DISEASED STOCK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13846, 4 September 1908, Page 9

DISEASED STOCK.

Sir—l am exceedingly glad that Mr. Colbeck has again taken up this subject, as it is by such healthy criticism as his that tlio true facts of a discussion are made public, and the pros and cons more forcibly debated. But Mr. Colbeck errs slightly in his facts. My scheme does not ask the tar ; mor to shoulder the whole burden, but to bear it equally with the buyer. iheu, again, excepting that his expenses are only hall what, Mr. Colbeck says, the farmer -will sco the crux of the matter when it is pointed out that mv idea is to minimise the number likely to be condemned. In this respect Mr. Colbeck's figures speak eloquently, inasmuch as on » coff, seven years old or" over, the total premiums would be 2s (that is Is by the seller and Is by the buyer), so that insurance on 10 head of cow beet would be £1, little enough when it is remembered that si ch class of stock has over 3 per cent, condemned for disease. But let the farmer send only steer beef to the market, and whit is the result'/ lor a £45 sale the most he would have to pay would be 2s for the whole consignment. This in itself would tend to make farmers and graziers deal more with the better class of stock. With regard to the fact that the scheme is brought forward at this juncture, it may be remarked that the new abattoirs are the only opportunity that has ever offered for a workable scheme, inasmuch as there has been no proper control nor uniformity of conditions. But I, personally, have little interest in the matter other than trvincr to formulate a scheme for mutual benefit, and to do justice to the confidence reposed in me by the Auckland Butchers' Association, when they appointed me chairman of the sub-committee that was set up to formulate' a scheme for a condemned stock fund. With the methods of the Stock Department I am not concerned, but it frequently happens that a practical, experienced farmer or slaughterman knows more about disease in stock than some of our qualified veterinary surgeons. Ido concur with Mr. Colbeck in the fact that the loss of Messrs. Giiruth and Lyons moans a serious thing to all owners of or dealers in. stock in Auckland. With regard to further discussion with Mr. Colbeck. I should be pleased to meet him personally at any time to break ft lance over the subject, but the object I have in view now is to make the matter well known throughout the whole farming community, and by making use of your valuable columns Mr. Colbeck will disseminate much useful information. Whilst upon the subject 1 might mention that, a deputation waited upon the Minister for .Agriculture recently to urge an improved system of inspection of pigs killed for human consumption, when it was pointed out that the percentage diseased was 13.96, so that it will be seen that the health of the community is very much concerned by the operations of inspection for disease, and now flint the export of boned beet is practically stopped much inferior meai will necessarily find its wav into the local markets, and it is by placing a check oil the dealing and selling of such inferior qualities that wo hope to ultimately purify the source of supply. The greatest dangers to the health of the community are through '.those fell maladies tuberculosis (consumption) and cancer, and if we can mitigate these diseases by purifying the herd's of the country, through inspection or otherwise, then it is our -bounden duty to do so, and well will the farmer have earned the name of being the backbone of the country. When it; i.-; remembered that 26,225 'Kittle," 50.16 calves, 4506 pigs, and 119,636 sheep wore killed for local consumption in. the /Auck'and abattoir district last year, it will he ?(•«'•» that the trade is a very large one, and thaf. the numbers infected with disoise mean a considerable menace to the community if the most- rigid inspection, such as will take place at the new abattoir, wore not insisted upon. Putter Salmon'.