STUD STOCK IMPORTS.

Waipa Post, Volume IV, Issue 184, 31 January 1913, Page 4

STUD STOCK IMPORTS.

Commenting on some recent remarks made by Mr A. L. Joseph, to the effect that the New Zealand Government, as compared with Canada, South Africa, and the Argentine, was doing nothing to induce people to import first class stock, the " Pastoralists' ReviewJ' says : —"There can be no doubt that absolutely no assistance is forthcoming from the Government, and when it is remembered that a New Zealand inspector in London has to pass all stud stock before it is shipped, one cannot help wondering what earthly or unearthly reason there can be for enforcing the obsolete a'nd rigid rules which govern the quarantine restrictions in New Zealand. Let every care be taken by all means to keep the country untainted by foreign diseases, but a thorough inspection at the port of shipment should be sufficient security. At any rate, the period occupied by the voyage out should be allowed to count as time in quarantine, and deducted accordingly. As far as South Africa is concerned, in order that farmers may be induced to import the best stock into the country, the Transvaal Government offers every facility and encouragement, arrangements being made with the shipping companies trading to that country whereby the freight on imported live stock is very considerably reduced. However, it must be understood that we do not advocate carelessness with regard to the importation of stock. The results of such a course are too evident in other countries, but provided the inspection at the port of shipment is not superficial or careless, there should be no risk of introducing disease."