VETERINARY SERVICES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20605, 2 July 1930, Page 9

VETERINARY SERVICES.

A CO-OPERATIVE SCHEME. DR. REAKES GIVES OUTLINE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Tuesday. A scheme for a veterinary service for dairy farmers 011 a co-operalive basis was outlined by Dr 0. J. R'eakes, Director of Agriculture, at the opening of tho-confer-cnce of the New Zealand Veterinary Socioty to-day. ' The Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. A. J. Murdoch, said it was not always possible to call in the aid of an expert. The Department of Agriculture had capable officers, who were ready to give assistance

Dr. Reakes said private practitioners had to cover a large area and in the rural districts they had a difficult time. In view of the great importance of the dairy industry of the Dominion, and the necessity for preserving the health of dairy cows to the greatest possible extent, it was for them to think out and consider and means of meeting- the position.

Since, iast year much consideration had been given to tho question of providing a veterinary servico for daily farms, and ,a scheme had been thought out, under which arrangements might be made for a largo dairy factory, or a group of dairy factories, situated "in the same district, to establish a veterinary servico for their own suppliers. The funds necessary for tho purpose would lie collected by dairy companie? from their suppliers, and applied to the payment and expenses of a veterinarian.

It was also considered that medicines might be supplied to them on the prescription of tho veterinary surgeon at tho lowest possible cost, so that the veterinary surgeon should not be called upon 100 often for trivial cases. It was suggested that a farmer should be entitled to a certain number of visits, and beyond that number ho should pay for the services. Such men might have to be brought from outside New Zealand, and they might rrquire somo guarantee of permanent employment. They might even want the Government to come into the scheme, but as a Government officer he could not express an opinion, except fo say that the matter was an important one, and that some system of the kind was needed in Now Zealand. For that reason ho urged that tho question should have their serious consideration.

ASSOCIATION OFFICERS. ELECTION FOR ENSUING YEAR. [BY TFXEGIUnt.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Tuesday. The election of officers at tho annua! mooting of the New Zealand Veterinary Association resulted as follows:—President, Dr. C. J. Reakes; vice-president, Mr. A. M. Brodie; council, Messrs. J. Lyons, J. Kerrigan and H. S. Kyle; lion, secretary and treasurer, Mr. C. S. M. Hopkirk; auditor, Mr. L. Scott. Tho annual report stated that correspondence had been carried on with laymen using misleading titles, and in all cases except ono. tho wishes of the council had been observed by the offending parties. The case which was an exception was put in the hands of the police, but tho man disappeared before action could be taken. : ■