FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19962, 2 June 1928, Page 14

FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE.

gj rj —Having read an article in the. Herald re toot and mouth disease, I would like to express my views on the subject. As 1 have experienced this dreadful malady in-England i cannot speak too strongly in the matter. When on a -recent visit to-England I was- discussing it with my farmer friends, and was informed what a big expense it was to the Government, as it paid compensation in full, which naturally falls on the public pocket. When I was quite a boy we had the. curse on the farm and at that time there was no slaughtering as at present. I shall never forget it. The poor animals could scarcely move, their ieet being swollen and the skin of the tongue peeling off. I cannot denounce the importation of cattlo too strongly whenever such a dreadful disease is present in England. A friend of mine in* England has recently had the outbreak on his place. He kept about 40 cows, also a few sheep and pigs, and every animal had to be slaughtered and burnt. 6f course, compensation may seem very nice, but apart from that whatever we do let us keep our country free of it. New Zealand is largely a dairying country and where would we be if such broke out ? Our Government could certainly not stand the expense and loss. I implore of everybody to help keep our fair country clean. W. ft. Roberts.