ANIMAL HEALTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25055, 20 November 1944, Page 7

ANIMAL HEALTH

VETERINARY SCHOOL NEEDS OF THE DOMINION The case for tho establishment of a veterinary school for New Zealand is presented in a bulletin issued by Massoy Agricultural College dealing with tutu re developments in veterinary science in New Zealand. It is agreed that the location, of such a school, or portions of it, is likely to be the subject of controversy, but the cost of establishing it in conjunction with Massoy College is placed at approximately £90,000 for buildings and £'18,825 for equipment. In addition, the cost of running the school is set down at £24,250 annually, including £22,100 for salaries and £2150 annual maintenance costs. Income from fees has not been taken into consideration. "The wastage and reduction of efficiency among the stock in New Zealand is of considerable, magnitude," states the bulletin. "Part of this could undoubtedly be prevented by the provision of an adequate veterinary service. Partis beyond effective control in the present state of knowledge, but it may be anticipated that this will yield to control by intensive local research work, which could be greatly strengthened by intensive observations on the part of the large number of trained veterinarians necessary to provide an adequate health service for the stock of the Dominion." It is pointed out that the number of veterinarians practising in New Zealand is ludicrously small compared on a basis of animal population with those of other agricultural countries. There are at present only 69 active veterinarians in the Dominion. The real value of veterinary assistance, it is said, is rapidly becoming appreciated by the farming community. A lead was given by the reputation 'gradually built up by the comparatively

few successful private practitioners. Much success has/ attended the establishment of a number of veterinary clubs pioneered by farmers' organisations. Several of these clubsihave been most fortunate in'their choice of young energetic veterinarians possessing a high degree of professional skill, who have quickly gaii&ed the confidence of the farmers they t'serve.

It is conservatively estimated that 400 are needed adequately to serve New Zealand and because five or six years mus/t elapse before the first graduates emerge the inception of the school is regarded as urgent. On a 30-year expectation of professional life, the provision of <4OO veterinarians would mean an annual > recruitment of some 12 or 13 graduates!, and an annual entry of 15 to 16 students. This would necessitate a veterinary school with accommodation for soune 70 to 80 students. The training .of New Zealand veterinarians overseas: is not favoured because New Zealand's j unique system of grassland husbandry has produced its own peculiar problems of animal health. This and other factors are considered strong arguments in favour of training veterinarians against a domestic background of agricultural j practice and animal husbandry, rather than against an overseas background where the principles will have little direct bearing on New Zealand conditions.

BUSINESS CONVENTION About 36 mejmbers of the Auckland Junior Chamber l, of Commerce attended the annual contention held at Cowes Bay at the week-end. Two visiting members of the' Wellington branch were also present. (Informal talks on the expansion of tine junior chamber of commerce movement were given by the Dominion president, Mr D. J. Stotter, and the Auckland president, Mr B. C. Bell. The secretary of the Auckland branch, Dr E./ P. Neale, said that this year's convention was one of the most successful th.Vt had been held.