SWINE FEVER.

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18947, 17 May 1933, Page 12

SWINE FEVER.

INDICATIONS OF SPREAD.

DRASTIC STEPS NECESSARY.

(By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday

There are indications that swine fever may yet spread over a considerable a”ea unless drastic steps are taken immediately. Two more farms in the affected area at Johnsonville showed indications of the disease overnight, making seven in that district. It seems that the outbreak was not reported to the department as soon as it might have been, as a case at Normandale, Lower Hutt, mentioned for the first time to-day, occurred a week ago. This will necessitate . a wider area of examination by the Stock Department than was first supposed; It is -stated that the trouble is more likely to spread in rainy or misty weather than if the weather is fine, owing to. drainage infecting creeks. . So' far no -pigs have been destroyed by the department, which is awaiting •the completion of the trenches, which may mean that none will toe killed till Thursday.

the digging of trenches.

REFUSED BY RELIEF WORKERS

STRONG PROTEST ENTERED

(By TelegraDti. —Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. Delegates from relief workers on various jobs met this evening and discussed the placing of men to dig trenches in which to bury pigs at Johnsonville. The Wellington union endorsed the attitude of the Johnsonville men in refusing to do the work at relief rates, and decided to accord them full support. “I desire to enter an emphatio protest,” said Mr Campbell, ’ secretary of the Wellington Relief Workers’ Union, “against relief workers being asked to work on the farms at Johnsonville burying pigs which have died or have been slaughtered as a result of the outbreak of swine fever.” After referring to the conditions, Mr Campbell said the work was to be done by relief owrkers at 10s a day. lie had approached Mr G. C. Godfrey, commissioner of unemployment, who stated that nothing extra could be paid. Representations were next made to the Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, who stated that nothing could be done until the Minister returned in 10 days.

It was alleged by Mr Campbell that ' Wellington Labour Bureau officials had taken men from college jobs and sent them to Johnsonville in Government cars. There was no question of calling for volunteers. When they objected to the work they were told that if they refused they would not be granted relief work in Wellington.