The Kaipara & Waitemata ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE" HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, JUNE 30TH. A THREATENED DANGER.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 30 June 1921, Page 2

The Kaipara & Waitemata ECHO WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED "THE KAIPARA ADVERTISER & WAITEMATA CHRONICLE" HELENSVILLE, THURSDAY, JUNE 30TH. A THREATENED DANGER.

THE approval of the Auckland Farmers' Union conference to the proposed regulations for preventing the spread of the cattle tick emphasises the danger that the pest unchecked might become to the farming community. The tick in this case is a small parasitical arachnidans or mites which infest sheep, dogs and goats as well as cattle. Some years ago the pest was very bad in South Africa and many farmers were ruined before it was stamped out. The later experiences^ Australia are, such that no action which will prevent the spread and operate

towards the extermination of the pest can be regarded as too drastic. To the individual farmer who has not come in contact with the tick the regulations may appear harsh and an interference with freedom ; but the severest regulations are a cheap price to payif they will carry immunity from the vermin. Co-operation of the Agricultural Department and the farmers should tend to a more satisfactory enforcement of the regulations than could otherwise be obtained. In the past it has sometimes happened that the inconvenience and Joss of the moment has been allowed to outweigh the gains of the "future. The tick has been " seen" in this district; it is rather bad in parts further North, and unless a watch is kept there might be danger of its spreading this way. The action of the Farmers' Union indicates that the farmers are awake to the menace and the benefit the regulations will be to them in the future.