THE DANGER OF ANTHRAX.

Otago Witness, Issue 2660, 8 March 1905, Page 29

THE DANGER OF ANTHRAX.

THE FARMERS' TJXION AND THE GOVERNMENT.

The following important letter, forwarded to the Hon. the Minister of Lands by the Otago Provincial Council, speaks for itself : —

"Dunedin, February 27, 1905. "To the Hon. (.he Minister of Lands, Wellington.

" Dear Sir,— There is at the present moment no question of such vital interest to the farmers and pastoralists of New Zealand, and no question fraught with the possibility of such disastrous results to them, as that of the importation of crushed bones from abroad, with all the danger that is irvolved of a fresh introduction and spread of the anthrax scourge which has already worked such, dire e-vil in the colony. It is because of their dread of the frightful danger involved in the determination ,of the of the Government to abandon its intention of erecting sterilising plants r»d to permit the importation of bones mi the m&re certificate of inspectors located ak. the ports of shipment in other countries, that the Farmers' Unions and other bodies who arc interested are actively protesting against the decision of the Government. They foresee an impending danger to the flocks and herds throughout New Zealand which impels them to mge ihc Government, even at_ the eleventh hour, to retrace its steps and to refuse to sanction the importation of bones, crushed or uncrushed. tmlil prom'siou for their sterilisation in New Zealand b<* made. I address this 'etter to you at the request of a gathering of farmers held in Dunedin to-night, md I am requested to forward to you the following copy of resolutions pa^ed at the meeting: — '' ' (1) That this meeting of farmers views with the- greatest apprehension the decision of the Government to permit the importation of bones from other countries, believing' that there is imminent peril of the introduction and further spread in the colony of tlic anthrax scourge unless such bones are thoroughly sterilised at the port of discharge'

'" ' (2) That this meeting has no confidence whatever in ihe precautionary measure the Government- has decided upon of appointing: inspectors ai. the ports whence such bones are shipped, whose duty it will be to assure thems.-'hes -i-hafc all bones for export to the colony are properly steamed before shipment. Tho farmers of the colony are' convinced that the certificates of such inspectors will be no guarantee of immunity from the introduction of anthrax, and they urge the Minister of Lands, as the head of the department whose special care it should b& to keep vigilant watch over tiie interests of the farming and pastoral industries of the _ colony, to Jake this grave question into hi% immediate consideration^ and) do his utmost id inrHice tho Government to abandon the proposal it has resolved upon.' '" ' (3) The -meeting further urges the Minister of Lands to ask the Government to reconsider the question < I the erection of sterilising work*, and to do his utmost to secure their erection as the only means, it bones are to be imported, of securing eafety from the further -pread r A a disease of such virulence as amhvr.x, mvohing, as it docs, tho danger ot incalculable 10->.s and! a serious check to tile prosperity of the colony's most important producu\e industries.'

" ' (4) That thi^ meeting- considers the co-t ot «lprili~ing bones would be considerably lessened by the erection of one central plant at Wellington, and that by tho sa\ing •thus effected the Government would be moie than enabled to cVfrny the coa-tal freight on sterilised bone*.' "In ooneh'siori, sir, I ui«h to say that

very general surprise was expressed by thtt meeting that the Government has not paid more attention to the reiterated opinions of the farmers of the colonyfon a question of such vital importance to them and to th« country at large. " (Signed) .Txo. Clabke, President. "J. T. Phais, Prov. Sec."