SOMES ISLAND STATEMENT MAKES FARMERS ANXIOUS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18548, 23 August 1928, Page 16

SOMES ISLAND STATEMENT MAKES FARMERS ANXIOUS.

TELEGRAM IS SENT TO CABINET MINISTER

An urgent, telegram has been sent to the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon O. J. Hawken) asking him whether there is any truth in the statement that several head of stock on Somes Island have foot-and-mouth disease. “If the report is not true it is a fcaiful statement to make,” said Air W. W. Mulholland, who brought the matter up at the meeting of the North Can terbury provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union yesterday afternoon. “It is probable that the statement is not true, but by this time it is in London. It is a statement most damaging to this country.” Mr Mulholland asked that the matter be treated as urgent. He had seen in the newspapers, he said, a statement made at a meeting of the Manawatu A. and P. Association yesterday, when foot-and-mouth disease was discussed. A speaker had said that several head of stock on Somes Island were suffering from the disease. Mr J. R. Cullen: If ft is true, we don't want it known. Mr J. D. Hall: If. will become known, for the Minister must reply. Mr Mulholland's recommendation that an urgent telegram be sent to the Minister of Agriculture was agreed to REPLY BY MINISTER. Following the statement of Mr W. W. Mulholland to the Farmers’ Union executive meeting yesterday afternoon

and the motion that an urgent, tele gram he sent to the Minister of Agricul turc, a telegram was despatched as under: - - , . , . . - “Is there any truth in statement \« Press that there are cases foot-and-mouth disease at Somes Island.” The Minister replied: '•Referring your telegram this afternoon statement that there are cases of foot-and-mouth disease on Somes Island entirely without foundation. In anv case T am informed that person fo whom statement is attributed made no such assertion. —O. Hawken.” D R REAKES DENIES STATEMENT Per Press A ssociation. WELLINGTON, August 22. “j\ Press Association message from Palmerston North yesterday credited J. A. Mitchell with telling the Manawatu A. and P. Association that there were at present several head of stock on Somes Island suffering from foot and mouth disease. This," raid Dr Reakes, Director-General of Agriculture, this morning, in a statement, “is entirely without foundation. There happen to be cattle from the United States in quarantine on the island at present, but all of them are in good health and have been in good health ever since their arrival.”

FIRM GIVES ASSURANCE. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, August 22. Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co. take strong exception to the statement issued from Palmerston North that foot and mouth disease is prevalent in cattle on Somes Island, in Wellington Harbour. They state that it is entirely a mistake, and there is no disease there at all. They and other firms have been importing cattle from North America for years, and this particular shipment is merely undergoing the usual quarantine previous to landing.