BREEDERS NOT READY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18025, 28 February 1933, Page 2

BREEDERS NOT READY

(To the Editor of the Herald.) Sir,—ln your Issue of February 25 it is stated a. certain prominent breeder of Masterton district said at the Dannevirke Show that the breeders were not ready to export beef to England and that stock should be imported from England for that purpose. But this prominent gentleman should know that it would be criminal folly to import stock frortf England, which is over-run with foot ancl mouth disease and swine fever. It is reported that! 25 counties In England have received a standstill order; weaning cattle cannot be moved except under Government licenses. And what Would happen to this country if once foot and mouth disease appeared? It spells ruin for every, small farmer, and no doubt the prominent ones would score at their expense, and what a dog in the manger policy! Hero we had a definite pledge given by Mr. Forbes that the exchange would not be tampered with, and he somersaults and does us farmers more harm flian good. Our president assured us he was not in favor of it, but comes back from Wellington, no doubt meeting some more prominent men, and somersaults like our Prime Minister, and then forsooth and . ponders why they have lost the confidence of the public. Our Agricultural Minister says he is not in favor of, the removal of the embargo, but may t ask with all seriousness: What is to stop ijim from a complete .somersault if a few .pf the

prominent breeders agitate for the removal of the. embargo. The least our president can do is to write to this

prominent breeder and tell him his services are no longer require by the ■■■ . ■

farmers, and,.if this prominent breeder honestly wishes to improve the New Zealand stock the simplest and best method is to improve the New Zealand pastures. Allow me to tell this prominent gentleman that top-dressing wih not give him,a good pasture, but it only improves a bad ;one, and if he requires further explanation he Is open to apply for it„—Yours, etc., A. KENT.