FARMER CONTROL FAVOURED

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1236, 26 June 1947, Page 7

FARMER CONTROL FAVOURED

VETERINARY SERVICES Morrinsville Producers’ Views The expanded organisation of farmers’ veterinary services forshadowed (by the passing of the Veterinary Services’ Act and the formation of the Veterinary Services’ Council has 1 commenced to take definite shape. Delegates from South Auckland veterinary organisations have twice gathered at Morrinsville to consider recommendations tabled 1 (by AT. \ Allan Leslie, chief executive officer, at a meeting of the recently constituted council. Mr. R. T. Scott briefly explained the council’s policy, which would extend the provision of veterinary services in the Dominion by the encouragement of veterinary clubs, or other like bodies in districts where adequate services were not available. In fulfilment of this aim every endeavour would be made to avoid injury to veterinary surgeons in private practice, and were rendering satisfactory service to the farming community and who were established in practice prior to the passing of the Act. Regional Executives It was proposed to establish regional executives under the council. These would have a major responsibility in the administration of tits veterinary service provided by the clubs in their areas, and would employ all the club veterinarians in their areas. Mr. Scott congratulated Mr. A. A. Blakely, chief veterinarian to the Morrinsville club, on his appointment to the council, and contended that provision for regional committees under Mr. Leslie’s proposals would give the ward system desired by clubs. Subsidies from council funds would be available to clubs this year. Referring to the area which might be included under a South Auckand regional committee, Mr. Scott suggested; it might take in districts from os far south of Auckland as Rotorua and Te Awamutu. If it so desired Bay of Plenty could be embraced in the area in thi meantime. Farmer Control The desirability of ke*f»ng control as far as possible in the hands of farmer members with the object of forming larger clubs rather than regional councils, arid approving formation of wards where (policy matters would be discussed, wasurged in a resolution which was deferred from the first to second meeting and carried. An amendment suggesting further consideration of a regional or some related set-up, was defeated. Mr. Leslie stated that the council. which did not wish to upset the club movement, had been designed to give stability and service to the whole of the country. It was a well established l fact that farming organisations in »New Zealand should te farmer controlled and paid. He read a report dealing-with veterinarians’ salary scale, .and suggested a worthwhile superannuation scheme, providing for retirement at 55, shouldbe introduced. All work within a given area would) be performed by the veterinarian and no right of private practice was visualised. Veterinarians’ Views (Mr. Blakely dealt with the proposals of the South Auckland branch of the Veterinary Association, which had teen circulated and which expressed the opinion of a proportion of the veterinarians ini the area. It was considered that the regional service could be run more efficiently andi economically by appointing a regional officer with pertain office staff. There would 1 ’ be no regional committee. It was further resolved to give notice of motion to the annuril meeting of the federation, thjat it support the desirability of establishing a close and continuing ,'uriderktaridrrag with, the National "^pary 1 ' Association, and seek some meahs of providing an efficient adviser acceptable to the associatidri, and answerable to the shareholder farmers’ veterinary clubs or services.