VETERINARY SERVICE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26175, 11 June 1946, Page 6

VETERINARY SERVICE

PROPOSED INAUGURATION LEVY GN PRODUCTION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 10. A national veterinary service for New Zealand is to be established under legislation to be introduced during the coming session of Parliament. If the current proposals' are put into effect a central coun il will be set up with the following representation:—Government (2), Dominion Federation of Farmers’ Veterinary Services (2), Dairy Board (2), Meat Producers’ Board (1), Wool Board (1), Veterinary Association (1). The function of the council will be to organise efficient veterinary services for all the livestock owners of the Dominion. It . will have complete control of central funds to be provided by a levy on animal products subsidised by the Government, probably at the rate of £1 for £l. The council will encourage the formation of more veterinary clubs, to which it may grant subsidies to ensure their stability. It will endeavour to ensure that sufficient veterinarians are trained, and to that end it may grant bursaries to selected studerits. It will seek to promote the fullest possible collaboration between all interested organisations with a view to increasing the efficiency of animal husbandry, and it may appoint officers to arrange for extension work in animal health and production. It is expected that the scheme will broadly follow the recommendations made in the majority report of the Veterinary Services Committee last year. That report suggested the following basis for the levies: 400,000,0001 b of butter-fat at 0.02 d per lb, £33,333; 1,000,000 bales of wool at Id a bale. £4667; 12.000,000 fat lambs at id a head, £l2.soo;—total, £50,500. A £1 for £1 Government subsidy would raise the total to £IOI,OOO.