VETERINARY SERVICE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 58, Issue 4190, 29 May 1939, Page 5

VETERINARY SERVICE

SCHEME FOR TE AWAMUTU DISTRICT. FARMERS INTERESTED. Not the least interesting item of business dealt with the monthly meeting of the Te Awamutu branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, on Friday evening was consideration of a scheme for obtaining the services of a fully qualified veterinarian fo# Te Awamutu district. It will be remembered that this subject was discussed at last month’s meeting, when a committee was set up to obtain fuller information and report to the meeting on Friday evening on the possibility of some co-op-erative service. The attendance numbered abour fifty, and a keen interest prevailed throughout. The president, Mr W. G. Neill, said he was rather disappointed at the comparatively small attendance, for over 900 notices had been sent out by the “cream can” method of distribution.

Mr G. R. Lawry directed attention to the data published in the New Zealand Exporter, and went on to tell of the experience at Ngatea, where £5 5s per annum was charged to members, and the service had prevailed for sixteen years. This year the service had been reorganised, by which the fee would be £2 2s, with payment for each visit by the veterinarian. Continuing, Mr Lawry said the Dairy Board was, he believed, verv favourable to the scheme for a cooperative service. Mr F. O. R. Phillips (Otorohanga), a member of the Board, intimated that the Board was asking the Government to subsidise such clubs at the rate of £3OO per annum. The writer then told of clubs in the Bay of Plenty, Hauraki Plains, Rate, and Morrinsville.

Mr C. J. Flay said he understood the Morrinsville club was now functioning well, and an appointment was, he added to be made that day. He then read a letter from the Morrinsville secretary, quoting the rates adopted. Mr Flay said the Auckland provincial secretary had informed him that if the farmers themselves did not cooperate it was probable the Government would provide a service, charging the cost against the butterfat supplied to dairy factories. Under the latter system, of course, district farmers would have no say in the management or direction of the officer. Continuing, Mr Flay quoted the basis of contribution by Morrinsville Club members. The veterinarian would be paid £7OO per annum, plus a car allowance of approximately £250. It was computed that to successfully function Te Awamutu club would need an assured income of £ll5O, and the service would be in a radius of about ten miles from the centre. To a question, Mr Flay also quoted some of the principal rules of Rangitaiki (Bay of Plenty) Association. The veterinarian was paid by the dairy company about £BOO per annum besides paying a laboratory assistant. Mr Neill said in Taranaki the veterinarian’s salary and expenses were met by a levy over about 20,000 cows, It worked out at about of a penny per lb of butterfat. On butterfat production in Te Awamutu district the same basis would provide about £1760 per annum. A veterinarian appointed would have to be as sured of employment for four or five years. He thought the only way to success in Te Awamutu district, was through the dairy companies. To a question, the chairman said he thought it desirable to keep the veterinary scheme separate from the farm accountancy scheme, so far as discussion went, for the present. But while in Otago and Southland this month he had obtained a good deal of information about the farm accountancy system operative there. In Dunedin this system was very successful. In Te Awamutu it would be practicable to have the dual service with a membership of 600, at £5 5s per annum. This would pay Union membership, £1 ss; veterinary service £2 ss; and accountancy service, £1 10s, and incidentals ss. Mr W. J. Hodgson, proposed that the executive proceed to organise a veterinary group, with a membership fee of £2 2s. He gave some details of provisos as to number of visits, supply of needed medicines and cost of additional visits. It was suggested, in support, that as the district is a wide one, meetings could be held in various out-districts, to explain the scheme and get enrolment of members. Mr Hodgson said it was impossible to devise at that meeting hard and fast rules—they could be prepared by a committee organising .the scheme. But there was a danger that some subscribers would desire to rely too much on the veterinarian, neglecting to do the things that an ailing animal should have done for it without an hour’s delay. Continuing, the speaker said any scheme based on a per cow basis was not going to be successful unless there was an assured membership of 500 or 600 members. He thought the executive could proceed along the lines of the bobby calf pools, organising and canvassing in each part of the district.

Mr G. T. Crawley moved as an amendment that the committee prepare a comprehensive scheme including both veterinary and farm accountancy services.

Mr Flay said the Rangitaiki Association comprised about 600 farmers. There was a danger that a Te Awamutu organisation must have a larger radius than Rangitaiki. Mr H. R. Clarke said the Taranaki system seemed to be the most suitable for Te Awamutu.

Mr Neill gave fulled details of the Taranaki scheme, and went on to stress the need for continuity of employment for a veterinarian. Mr C. S. Alexander said a radius was necessary, and assured revenue over a period of three to five years was only possible through the dairy companies. The companies could be asked to fix a butterfat levy or to accept orders from members over at least three years. There were difficulties, for there were two dairy companies, both of which had suppliers well outside what would be a workable radius. He agreed with Mr W. J. Hodgson’s suggestion of a limit of five or six visits, all in excess to be paid for.

He could quite visualise one farmer wanting the veterinarian on many occasions in a year to do what the farmer himself should do. If there was a limit the farmers would be entitled to equal participation. To a question by Mr Ken Jones, Mr Hodgson said it would be an essential to success to have a mileage limit. He recalled the fortunes of a veterinary service established in Te Awamutu district several years ago. He thought a limit of fifteen mile's would be likely to suit best here. Mr Neill said the bobby calf pool served 1140 suppliers, and he estimated there were 900 bona fide farmers who would be served by a veterinary service, of whom, surely 600 could be enrolled as the great majority of whom were certainly well within a radius of 15 miles. In the Taranaki scheme the system was highly organised, the veterinarian checkins’ tr headquarters at every farm he visited. Mr Flay said at Morrinsville there were less than 400 subscribers. Mr Alexander said the service would have to be based on the number of cows. One man could attend to not more than 20,000 cows. He thought a scheme could be evolved by which the dairy companies could collect the fees on a butterfat basis. Mr F. Gooder said it was first necessary to arrive at prdbable total cost, and then find how many farmers would avail themselves of the service. Mr H. R. Clarke said there were enough cows in Te Awamutu to give employment to two veterinarians. It was suggested that when details were worked out a canvass could be made. The basis of charge could be on ?. per cow basis. The big farmer would be best served if each member was equally entitled to the help of the veterinarian. The small farmer would want the per cow basis. Mr Hodgson said the basis would have to regard the number of cows per herd, number of farmers, and butterfat production.

The chairman said it was evident a committee would have to investigate details.

Mr Alexander suggested that Mr Neill should wait on the directorates of the two dairy companies. Theie was no farmer who did not need a veterinary service. The dairy companies could strike a levy over all their suppliers within an agreed-upon area.

A voice.—That would be compulsory co-operation, eh? Another.—Dairy companies could not legally do that. Mr G. S. Clarke said he had heard the suggestion of a compulsory levy debated before and was confident it would not be viewed favourably bv the New Zealand Co-op. Dairy Co. Mr Flay thought if there was to be a charge per visit, there need not be an over-riding charge of three-tenths of a penny per lb of butterfat. Mr Neill, to a question, said provision could be made for sheep-farm-ers and dry-stock farmers. Mr Flay said that at Morrinsville there was provision for members who do not milk more than ten cows. Mr Alexander said there was a levy on pigs and on wool, and surely there could be a levy for veterinary service on butterfat. Mr Hodgson said it could not legally be done. Mr Lawry said no levy could be imposed without the written authority of the individual affected. Mr A. S. Wyllie said, as a dairy company committeeman, he would not support a compulsory levy. A voluntary levy on those who would participate in the scheme appealed to him more. He suggested a subscription of £2 10s plus a charge for visits.

' Mr N. Fletcher said it was essential to Dave an assured income foi at least three years.

Mr J. L. Wallis said if the Farmers’ Union was sponsoring the move the service should operate over the whole district of the Union branch. (Hear, hear.) At Morrinsville the goodwill of the farmers in the area was obtained by giving the farmers all the ‘information possible, with recommendations. That entailed a lot of investigation by an energetic and enthusiastic committee. He thought Te Awamutu district could provide employment for two veterinarians—and good ones, too. If the accountancy system was to be provided for also, a revenue of £2OOO per annum was necessary.

Mr Neill sketched a district including Te Rore, Te Kawa, Korakonui, Pukeatua and Puahue. The amendment, that a sub-com-mittee be appointed to draw up a comprehensive scheme, and place it before meetings in all parts of the district, was again quoted. A former member of the Ngatea Club said he had paid the £5 5s annually there, and was well satisfied

Mr Fletcher said the motion and mendment could be merged. The committee had obtained a good d°al of information from the discussion at the meeting.

Mr Hodgson said he was agreeable to this being done, and Mr Craw 1 also indicated his accord. In its amended form the motion was put and carried unanimously. To a question, Mr Neill said his idea was that the annual charge should be £2 10s to £3 per annum. Mr Flay moved that the meeting appoint convenors in each district to further the scheme.

Mr Hodgson said the Farmers’ Union branch had an executive representative.of every part of the district, and each district member should act as convenor in his own district.

This was approved, and the committee was urged to use all expedition in the hope that the scheme could be made an actuality at the earliest possible moment. Mr Wyllie suggested that inquiry be made as to the possibility of getting a Government subsidy. FARM ACCOUNTANCY The chairman next referred to the farm accountancy scheme, and said very many farmers had been worried lately over the preparation of the data demanded by the Income Tax Commissioner. The farmers had been taking their figures to accountants and solicitors, and paying a fee. By co-operation, the data could be prepared at a lower cost, and the data could, be relied on. At Dunedin and In vercargill farm accounting systems were operating successfully, and he thought it could be applied in Te Awamutu district. A qualified accountant, familiar with farming conditions and practice, would be engaged. Mr W. J. Hodgson supported and said that a lot of information was demanded, and a farm accountancy ser-

vice would give the farmers themselves very valuable information thai many farmers could not themselves obtain by their own efforts. The farmers would have data by which they could present a very clear and convincing case in demanding relief from the oppressive taxation and other demands levied on the farming community.

A general discussion followed, in which some obstacles were mention ed, and surmounted.

Mr Neill said co-operation was the secret of success. Personal contact with the accountant was necessary. Mr Hodgson moved that a committee be set up to investigate a farm ac countancy system applicable to Te Awamutu district.

Mr Flay said the veterinary service, if inaugurated, would require a secretary, and that official could very well be a qualified accountant. Messrs J. L. Wallis and G. S. Clarke advised against combining the two schemes—at least for the present.

The motion was carried without dissent, and the following committee was appointed:—Messrs Allen, Bryant, H. R. Clarke and Parlane. RAGWORT ERADICATION.

Mr H. R. Clarke directed attention to the decision of the Government to discontinue the employment of gangs clearing ragwort and he suggested that representations be made to the Minister of Agriculture urging him to continue the services, in the interests of primary production, for discontinuance would result in neglect in many places, including crown and native lands, ragwort thereby being allowed to flourish and spread over what are at present clean lands. Several speakers voiced their full accord, and it was decided to write to the Minister asking him to do his best to have the ragwort services continued. FARMERS’ LORRIES.

Mr N. B. Fletcher called attention to the heavy traffic license fees on farmers’ lorries, and moved that the Waipa County Council be requested not to collect these fees. He said that hospital levies had been greatly increased, and some local in their search for needed revenue, might feel inclined to collect the fees. They were, he understood, quite within their rights. Several speakers termed the law’s requirements ridiculous, and it was suggested that the proper course was for the Government to amend the law. The onus of deciding whether or not to enforce thie collection should not be thrown on the local bodies. The motion was carried" unanimously. SOCIAL SECURITY. Mr A. S. Wyllie directed attention to the imposition of the Social Security legislation, wherein revenue from country halls was required to pay the tax, irrespective of whether or not there had been losses in previous years. He pointed out that country halls were not profit-making in th£ sense of private enterprise, and surely they should be exempt.—lt was decided unanimously to ask the Minister in charge of Social Security legislation to exempt country halls. RIFLE CLUBS. Mr S. A. Ammon quoted information he had obtained on the subject of forming a rifle club in Te Awamutu district.

The secretary said the local R.S.A. was to discuss the matter at its next meeting, and would receive a deputation from the Farmers’ Union. The matter was left in the hands of Messrs Neill and Ammon.