CATTLE IMPORT BAN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20425, 29 November 1929, Page 14

CATTLE IMPORT BAN.

JERSEY JUDGE'S PROTEST.

ANIMALS THROUGH" AMERICA.

ALLEGATION OF EXPLOITATION

[BY TELEGRAPH. OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] TE AROHA, Thursday. Dissatisfaction with the methods followed in tho importation of high-class Jersey cattlo to New Zealand was expressed by Mr. Tl. Jj. Ilorn, of Mannwatu, prior to his departure from Te Aroha, where ho judged tho Jersey cattle at tho Thames Valley Show. Mr. Horn said ho was strongly of opinion that every effort should be mado to have tho ban lifted from the importation of cattle from Great Britain. It had been imposed owing to tho alleged danger of tho spreading of foot and mouth disease. In existing conditions cattlo could not be imported to New Zealand direct from Jersey, arid cows that came to New Zealand came through America. Buyers in that country retained the best animals, for which absolutely prohibitive prices were asked. Cattlo that camo to New Zealand were really culls or rejects of the American buyers. While at Jersey recently, said Mr. Horn, he had noted scores of very highgrade animals at very reasonable prices, which, if they could be imported to New Zealand direct, would quickly raise tho standard of Jersey breeding in thu Dominion. Provision had bjen made for quarantining cattlo at Southampton, over what was considered a safe period before shipment to the Dominions. But South Africa was the only cou!><r.y to avail itself of the opportunity thus presented.

A visit to England and Jersey had convinced him that the menace of foot and mouth disease had been greatly exaggerated, mostly by an army of officials who were doing little or nothing to stamp it out. Foot and mouth disease was unknown at Jersey, where there had never been a single case. Proper precautions against its introduction to other countries were necessary, but these need not bo irksome and generally impossible to correctly observe without risk and a large expenditure. The matter could best be remedied by setting up some sort of board or body of Jersey breeders in New Zealand, with a representative, preferably a resident at Jersey, to select cattle and conserve the interests of Mew Zealand buyers. To overcome certain regulations the cattlo could be quarantined on (he island or near it, and supplied with fodders and straw sent- from Mew Zealand. 801110 such system was strongly needed fo prevent American exploitation of New Zealand buyers and permit of tho latter buying the finest Jerseys at a reasonable price.