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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 72

The Quarantining of Stock

The Quarantining of Stock.

The Revising Committee's remarks on the above subject wore as follow:—"Some importers of stock think the date of quarantine should commence at the time of embarkation, and in deference to their wishes, the Conference will be asked to give an expression of opinion on the subject."

Mr D. Williamson moved in connection with the foregoing recommendation, "That in the opinion of this Conference the term of quaran-tine, 90 days, should date from the time of embarkation instead of from the date of landing in New Zealand." He said in support of the resolution that the small farmers owed a debt of gratitude to the early importers of stock; for, had not there been men of enterprise in the Colony at that time, where could these settlers have found suitable stock for their lands?

Mr Ritchie pointed out that the quarantine regulations required that there should be at least 60 days from time of landing and read from the regulations the length of time required to be passed at the station by various animals.

Mr Overton seconded the motion pro for ma.

Mr Ritchie pointed out that the object the department was to have the stock under their eyes for a certain time.

Mr Roberts illustrated the necessity of keeping stock for a period in quarantine by an incident which was related to him when attending the Stock Conference last year. Some bulls were imported into Tasmania, and after remaining in quarantine the usual time the inspector asked the Government to allow him to keep them some time longer, as he believed that they were infested with the gad fly. This proved to be the case, and showed how necessary was the precaution. He considered that cattle should be kept a sufficient time at the Quarantine Station, so that the officers might be certain that they were all right.

Mr Grigg said that this subject was before the last Conference in Christchurch. He was not much in favour of people importing stock from England, as he believed they had as good stock of almost every description in the Colony as in any part of the British Empire. When times were good some years ago money was spent freely in importing the best stock from Home, so that it was a mistaken idea for people to suppose that they must go outside the Colony for good stock. He considered it also a mistake for people to be continually changing their sires. Some of the leading prize-takers in England had not changed their sheep for sixty years.

Mr Buchanan pointed out the great amount of money that was spent in the United Kingdom for the purpose of stamping out disease. The flocks of the Colony are clean, and they should not relax their efforts.

Mr Kirkbride did not think they should reduce the time at the Quarantine Station. He read of glanders being introduced by circus horses into Australia from America, and they all knew what a difficult thing it was to eradicate that disease. He considered it would be well for the Stock Department to make itself acquainted with the diseases which prevailed among stock in Australia.

The motion was then put and lost.

Mr Buchanan moved, "That in the opinion of this Conference the charges upon stock subject to quarantine should be reduced."

This was seconded by Mr Stuckey and carried.