ANIMAL HEALTH.

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 56, Issue 4054, 30 May 1938, Page 4

ANIMAL HEALTH.

THE recent deputation at Pukekohe to the Minister of Public Works had little difficulty in supplying Mr Semple with ample evidence of the dire results of the malady which has affected the flocks and herds as a result of the epidemic of facial eczema. The deputation appealed for more intensified research into the causes of the disease and for advice as to the precautions necessary to prevent a recurrence of this year’s outbreak. The deputation also requested that the disaster be regarded as one of national importance, and that financial aid be granted by the State to those who had met with exceptional losses through no fault of their own. Financial relief, upon proof that the need for assistance exists, should certainly be forthcoming. To lender such aid may be much less difficult for the Government than to meet the other demands and criticism anade by the deputation. The State veterinary officers are convinced that the causes of the outbreak are known and understood. They point out that exceptional climatic conditions and their effect upon pastures have been the chief agent in increasing the number of animals affected this year- The experts point out also that quite early this year a warning of the pos sibility. of an outbreak was given in the official Journal of the Department of Agriculture, and that where the advice then given had been followed promptly, and without waiting for symptoms of the disease to appear, the number of stock affected was comparatively negligible. The deputation to Mr Semple did not criticise the research officers, but it did contend that there were not enough of them for the proper extension and co-ordina-tion of inquiries, and it asked that the reports of two scientists who recently visited New Zealand in an advisory capacity should be made public. There seems no reason why the reports should not be released. It may be that they will emphasise the need for the stock-owner’s active co-opera-tion with the expert if animal health is to be maintained satisfactorily. One of the visitors, Dr G. J. Hucker,

told dairy farmers that control of mastitis was more a matter of good farm, management than of scientific advice, and he stated definitely that he had no fault to find with the research work now being carried out in the Dominion. The other visitor, Dr J. Hammond, also stressed the need for co-operation between the stockowner and the expert adviser, particularly as farming in the Dominion became more intensive. As regards mastitis in cows and facial eczema in sheep and cattle, there is need of all the research available. It has to be remembered, however, that research in New Zealand and elsewhere has indicated that there is no “royal road” to the elimination of either of these disorders. Given the best expert advice, it must not be forgotten that the onus will still remain on the stock-owner to see that the recommendations of the expert receive full and continuous attention. A recurrence of this year’s experiences should be unthinkable, and the great majority of the farming community may be relied upon to do everything possible to prevent such a serious blow again happening to the Dominion’s production and earning capacity.