PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1166, 29 June 1911, Page 10

PRODUCERS' ASSOCIATION.

' DELEGATES TO MEET IN WEL- " . : LI.NGTON. In Tuesday's Dominion it was staled that there was likely (o ho a conference of the ''Producers' Association in Wellington nest month for the purpose of considering questions regarding legislation. It has since been definitely decided to hold the conference 011 July 18, in Wellington. Two delegates from each of the following branches of the association will attend :~Auckland, Gisborne, Hnwke's Eay (Napier and Hastings). Dannevirke, Feilding, Palnierslon North, Masterton, Marlborough, and Canterbury. Mr. J. G. Wilson, of Pulls, who is tho chairman of the association, will preside. One of tho most interesting subjects will be the proposal to ask tho Government to introduce a Hill 'to empower the association t'o levy a stock rate. , .

TUBERCULIN TEST.

A BOLD AMERICAN'S ATTITUDE. In the leading American and Canadian papers there have , for some time past been discussions concerning the tuberculin test. In a' recent' spcech Mr. W. J. Gillett, of Wisconsin, the owner of Colantha ith's Johanna, tho Jlolstein cow which beat the world's record in a year's production cf milk and butter-fat, said:

"Two. years ago, I refused 5000 dollars for n cow. Only last week that' animal roaeted to the tuberculin test, was condemned and all that I .will receive from tho State is three-fourths of 55 dollars, tho estimate placed upon her by appraisers. Despite this fact, however, 1 am going to havo every one of my herd tested and. will cheerfully have .them, all slain, if thev aia infected .with the disease. I believed that if aUcattlc : owners .viewed the situation in the same light that I do, that we could entirely stamp out tuberculosis in a few years." Continuing, Jit. Gillett admitted that ho had for a long time doubted the value of the tuberculin test, but had recently become a convert nnd was of the belief t'hat every herd in the country should be tested at regular intervals. Commenting on the above, "Hoard's Dairyman" says: "Analyse 111'. Gillette's statement for a moment. Ho has a very valuable herd, one of such fashionable breeding in liolstein circles as to bo worth thousands ol' dollars. Some men would say (a good many wo fear) that for just this reason lie ought to conceal his knowledge of the disease from others, get rid of the infected animals by imposing them upon innocent purchasers. Keep the tu-. berculin test away from.tho herd as much as possible so that he can have a profitable ignorance, so far as sales are concerned, of the presence of the disease. Can Mr. Gillett be fooled into any sneli position as thai'? No! Why? Localise Mr. Gillett' is no time-serving coward. He knows that the disease is merciless in its effect on his cattle, that only bold, courageous measures will slop it or keep it out. He does not propose to show a weak, folly-stricken attitude toward such an enemy, and he knows too much, which some men don't, to seek any relief against tuberculosis by damning tho tuberculin test."