Southland Opposes Lessening of Restrictions

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 55, 27 November 1937, Page 7

Southland Opposes Lessening of Restrictions

-Presa Associatjon.)

MR. L. HAMMOND'S SCHEME

(By Telegraph-

INVERCARGILL; Last Nigkt. ' Opposition to any lessening of tke restrictions on tke importation of stock from Great Britain and otker countries affected witk foot-and-montk disease, was expressed by the Soutkland Provincial executivo of tke Farmers' Union at its meeting to-day. It was decided to supply branches witk more details of Mr. Lloyd Hammond's pro* ■ posals for direct importation and request an opinion On tke qtfestipn. Mr. E, K. Sim said tkat the meat and wool committee recommended tkat tke president (Mr. A. R. Johnston) make a statement on Mr. Hammond's proposals for tke xeplacement of tko embargo witk restrieted importation providing for any stock shipped to New Zealand spending 12 montks in. a disease-free area before skipment, Mr. Johnston said tkat tke executive was not asked to consider tko lifting Of tke embargo but to consider proposals wkiek, in tko opinion of some, were more rigid tkan tke existing restrictions and would make ,tke ckances Df foot-and-mouth disease entering tke eountry slighter tkan . ever. Tke quesfcion was simply wketker farmers would favour tke replacement of the existing eonditions by tke new proposals. 'Tke sckeme would permit of tke direct importation of stock from infested countries instead of by the present "baek floor" metkod througk otker countries. Tke question kad a new and tremendous importance as tke rosult of tke present scrious outbreak of tke' disease in England. Tkose wko advocated Mr. Hammond's proposals were aware of tko danger of tke disease and were as korrified as otkers at any possible introduction into New Zealand. They were convinced, kowe^er, tkat tke xisk would' bc as sligkt " as, if not slighter thau, uudcr tko existing inetkod.