Aims of Veterinary Services Council

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 74, Issue 1, 15 January 1947, Page 20

Aims of Veterinary Services Council

r ’HE purpose of the Veterinary Services Act, 1946, which was passed during the most recent session of Parliament and came into force on October 9, is to provide for the establishment and maintenance of veterinary services for farmers on a national basis by setting up a Veterinary Services Council and defining its powers and functions. The council consists of three representatives of the Government; two representatives of the Dominion Federation of Farmers’ Veterinary Services; two representatives of the New Zealand. Dairy Board; and one each from the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board, the New Zealand Wool Board, and the New Zealand Veterinary Association.

IN general terms the functions of the council are to promote the establishment of efficient veterinary services for stock owners with a view to improving the quality of livestock and produce, and increasing production. In particular the council has power 1. To promote the formation of Farmers’ Veterinary Clubs and grant financial assistance to them; 2. To promote superannuation schemes for its officers and servants and for veterinary surgeons employed by Farmers’ Veterinary Clubs; 3. To promote the training of sufficient persons in veterinary science and their employment when qualified by granting bursaries, to selected students; •4. To subsidise veterinary schools at which selected students will be trained; 5. To grant financial assistance to veterinary surgeons who wish to undertake post-graduate courses, or

to provide post-graduate training for veterinary surgeons; 6. To establish and administer a scheme for refunding to stock owners who are not members of a Farmers’ Veterinary Club part of the fees paid by them to veterinary surgeons or practitioners, or for payment to veterinarians of part of the fees payable by such stock owners; 7. To organise and co-ordinate the diffusion of information and advice on animal health and production. Finance of Council The council is required to prepare an estimate of its proposed net expenditure for each financial year ending on March 31. The net estimate for any year must not exceed £ 100,000. One half is payable by the Dairy Board, the Meat Producers’ Board, and the Wool Board in the following proportions: Dairy Board eight-twelfths, Meat Producers’ Board three-twelfths,

and Wool Board one-twelfth. The amount payable by the Wool Board, however, is not to exceed £1666 in

any year, and any additional amount required to satisfy the Wool Board’s contribution will be met by the Meat Producers’ Board until the Wool Board decides to assume full liability. The other half of the council’s net estimated expenditure will come from Government subsidy. The Meat Producers’ Board’s contribution will be derived from the investment by the board of £ 500,000 which is authorised to be paid to the board for that purpose out of the Meat Industry Account. The Dairy Board and the Wool Board are authorised to pay their annual contributions out of their funds, but, with the authority of the Minister of Finance, the Dairy Board’s contribution in any year may be paid out of the Dairy Industry Account. The Minister of Finance may advance money toward the expenses of the council before the end of the financial year in which the council members are appointed, but the amount advanced will be deducted from the subsidy payable for the financial year starting on April 1, 1947. The council is authorised to establish special funds or reserves for any -purpose in the exercise of its functions and to invest money available for investment, including money in any special fund or reserve account, in stipulated securities. The accounts of the council are to be audited by the Audit Office, and its annual report and statement of accounts must be sent to the Minister of Agriculture and copies to each of the contributory boards. A copy of the report and statement must be laid before Parliament.