CATTLE DISEASES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24034, 4 August 1941, Page 4

CATTLE DISEASES

I Sir, —I would like to compliment | you on your loading article on July 22, | especially that portion where you say "Export restrictions in themselves present an opportunity if not :i demand for a thorough checking of Dominion's flocks and herds in a determined effort to eliminate tuberculosis and other stock diseases." 1 am with you that the timo is opportune and overdue. When the milk supply to schools was being introduced ] asked whether cows were to pass the tuberculosis tost and was amazed; the reply was: No, not at present. Yet it was stated that ! pasteurising would not eliminate the germ. 1 wrote the Minister of Agriculture, who was a Waikato farmer, suggesting that it should he done, also suggesting a scheme whereby the tuberculous cows could be destroyed and replaced within two or three years at a very small cost to the country, or the farmers; he pronounced the scheme a good one. and replied when the matter came up for discussion he would submit it. He has retired without anything being done: so will his successor, unless the people insist. Therefore your article has appeared at, to me, a very appro- j priate time. The Waikato stock inspector and the; veterinary surgeon who was in charge | in i his country said in their opinion that j there was not more than 7 per cent j to 8 per cent of dairy stock affected, j 1 am of opinion were all affected stock ; passed through the digester the Do- | minion would be the gainer, and now j is the time, as you suggest. | E. M.' Masters. I