Public Abattoirs.

The Revising Committee's remarks on this subject were:—"In view of the reputed prevalence of tuberculosis and other diseases supposed to be communicable to human beings, public abattoirs should at once be provided for all large centres of population. This is a question of the greatest importance, and therefore no private slaughtering licenses should be granted in the vicinity of such centres."

Mr Patrick, in introducing the subject, said some such reform in their present arrangements was urgently needed. Tuberculosis in cattle, a disease unfortunately well known in this Colony, was not only hereditary, but might be transmitted from one beast to another. The present system of inspection at the yards was utterly useless as a means of dealing with a disease of that kind. What was necessary was the safeguard of a thorough and expert inspection of carcases when the vital organs were exposed. The authorities should take power to insist on the inspection by veterinary surgeons of dairy cows, especially those that supply large towns with milk, as it was well known the malady was more prevalent amongst dairy cows than other cattle. He moved, That it is desirable that public abattoirs should be established for all the principal towns in New Zealand, and that no licenses be granted to private slaughterhouses in such places; also, that dairies should be subject to inspection."

The motion was seconded by Mr Rhodes.

Mr Wilson thought this was a municipal question, and that it was unfair to refuse private licenses where public abattoirs existed.

Mr Buchanan strongly supported the resolution, as it would help to keep down disease throughout the Colony.

Mr Wilson remarked that supposing Petone were made a principal centre, the Gear Company's slaughter-yard would be shut up, and they would have to kill their stock at the public abattoir.

The Chairman understood that any properly-conducted establishment could be licensed as a public abattoir. (Hear, hear.)

Mr Wilson: There can be only one in each centre.

The Chairman: There is no inference of that sort in the resolution.

Mr Chaytor thought the establishment of public abattoirs would only do a limited amount of good. The remedy must be found when the animals were alive, and not when they were in the slaughterhouses.

Mr Grigg thought that if public opinion were once aroused municipalities would do something in the matter, and, if not, then the Government might step in and do something themselves.

Mr Dunlop thought the Government should see they had inspectors qualified to detect diseases in animals.

Mr Stuckey moved as an amendment that that portion of the resolution referring to no private licenses being granted be omitted.

The amendment was seconded by Mr W. Henderson, and was carried, and the resolution as altered was agreed to.