FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 November 1924, Page 4

FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.

Ii.AI lIA IK.’O ON CAM Ft HI XIAN PIIODFCTK.

INYFRUARGII.L. November I. When foot ami mouth disease was discovered in California, an embargo was placed on Californian products and their importation prohibited. This step "as taken to ensure that the disease did not reach New Zealand. The principal products all’ected by the embargo were fruit and unions, and an incllectual attempt was made by smile enmlileri i:il bedies to have the embargo renuiveil. However, fruit is now reaehing New Zealand from Canada, and it is riiuioiiied that this fruit is Cali

foI'IIMIII gI'OWII. “Wlion [ hoard tlio report that Californian fruit was reaching New Zealand Lit rondel i Canada.” .said .Mr David .Marshall. Southland's representative on the Board of Agriculture, ‘ I inmiodiatoly sent tho folnwing telegram to l)r. C. d. Realms, Director-General of Agriculture:—“Humoured that- Californian fruit leaching Now Zealand thin nidi Canada via Vancouver. To that telegram I received the follouin" reply from Dr. Realms:—“Thanks for information. Do not think rumour correM hut will have investigations made.”

‘'These who are attempting: to evade the embargo liv importing ('alifornian fruit through Canada cannot realise what they are doing,” continued Mr .Marshall. “Font and mouth disease is a very serious menace, and if introduced into New Zealand will ruin half the dairy farmers of tho Dominion. The disease does not actually kill the boasts it affects, hut they gradually lose vitality through being unable to eat owing to the infection of the mouth. The cattle actually starve to death when feed is abundant. It would he a had thine for us if the disease ever got a footing in this country.”