HEED FOR A VETERINARIAN.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 310, 17 October 1929, Page 6

HEED FOR A VETERINARIAN.

ENORMOUS STOCK LOSSES. Position in Morrinsville. farmers’ Union Takes Action. Further discussion on the proposal to secure a qualified veterinarian for the Morrinsville district took place at the monthly meeting of the Morrinsville branch of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union on Saturday evening.

The president, Mr. G. Pirrit, referred to the recent meeting addressed by Mr. Burton, veterinary surgeon. Mr. Burton had put forward a scheme, offering his services for a salary of £BOO a year. The speaker had since been advised by Mr. Burton that he would not be available, having been offered a position at £IOOO a year, with car and expenses, in a district where the roads were better than those in the Piako county. A committee of which the speaker was a member had been set up to go into the question of securing the services of a veterinarian, said Mr. Pirrit, and the committee’s report ■was now available. The committee recommended that the union form a veterinary club; that the directors of the New Zealand Dairy Company and the Morrinsville Dairy Company be requested to guarantee £2O each, the directors of the Tatua Dairy Company, the Norfolk Dairy Company, and the Morrinsville branch of the Farmers’ Union £lO each, toward the cost of organising the district ; that membership for dairy farmers be on a butterfat basis and for ether farm-

ers at a fee of 30s per annum ; that a veterinary surgeon be advertised for, stating experience and qualifications, on a three-year term ; that an organiser be engaged to canvass the district on a percentage basis. Mr. Pirrit said the suggestion had been favourably received by the directors of the- Morrinsville Dairy Company and that a decision would be arrived at on Monday. No replies had yet been received from the other companies. Mr. S. Ferguson, chairman of the Norfolk Dairy Company, said the allocation of preliminary expenses did not seem equitable for the number of suppliers. He did not think the Norfolk Company would agree. Mr. J. L. ' Faulkner said the dairy companies were being asked to guarantee the preliminary expenses, which would be for organising work. The organiser would work on a commission basis and the guarantors might not be called upon. Mr. Davies was of the opinion that a flat rate would be more acceptable to dairy farmers than a butterfat basis of payment. Mr. M. E. Barrowclough said the chief difficulty was securing continuity of support. Mr. A. Topham: It is a three years’ term. Mr. Barrowclough said he understood the average salary for a vetemarian was half what had been

suggested by Mr. Burton. The majority of veterinary clubs in the Do- j minion had been a failure. He | thought none of the Government j men would be enticed by the offer, as the job would not be permanent. If an assurance could be given-that the position would be permanent a good man could be secured at a reasonable salary. Mr. G. Pirrit said he did not wish it to be understood that Mr. Burton’s scheme was being adopted. That

-scheme was not formulated by the branch. The dairy companies were not being asked for anything but a guarantee for preliminary expenses. It was essential that a vetemarian be secured in the Morrinsville district as stock losses had reached enormous figures. It was not out of the way to reckon on an average loss through disease of ten per cent per annum. An estimate of the value of stock within a radius of 15 miles of Morrinsville was £874,000, and a conservative estimate of the annual loss was £87,000. These figures figures surely warranted immediate action being taken. If each member of the proposed club was saved two cows he would be getting value for his money. A live man was wanted and the branch should not quibble at the question of salary. He should be advertised for in Great Britain as well as in New Zealand. Mr. J. E. Leeson, chairman of the Morrinsville Dairy Comany, said this matter had been before the branch on innumerable occasions. It could not be denied that the time was ripe for a good man to be stationed in Morrinsville. He considered the opening an excellent one for private practice. There was no veterinarian between Hamilton and Ngatea, and the district between was pne of the wealthiest rural centres in the Dominion. The objection to the scheme submitted by the committee was that if a man paid only three guineas in three years he would be calling the veterinarian out to every trivial complaint. He favoured securing a club of 400 members at a guinea a year who would receive attention at twothirds the usual fee. Thus a man in

private practice would have a guar antee of at least £350 a year. If he | was a “ hustler ” he could make a good thing out of it. Mr. B. J. Pirrit said the chief objection seemed to be the basis of payment on butter-fat returns. As an alternative he suggested charging £1 for a herd for 40 cows, £1 10s for 60 cows, £2 for 80 cows, £2 10s for 100 cows and so on. A man would then know exactly how much he ; would he expected to pay for service.

Mr. E. Hitchman favoured Mr. ,Leeson’s scheme. It would have the added advantage of giving some incentive to a man. Mr. G. Pirrit said the branch had never offered anyone £BOO a year. It was no “ cushy ” job. What was wanted was a man who would work. It was not a superannuation scheme. What should be decided upon first was whether a club would be formed or not. Mr. M. Davies moved that a club be formed. Mr. J. M. Allen: It does not seem to be a mater for the union to decide. A public meeting should be called.

Mr. Philpott thought a scheme should be formulated before it was decided to form a club. Mr. Barrowclough said it was essential to have a veterinarian in the district. He suggested that as well as advertising in England the committee should advertise in Australia, where the conditions were more similar to those in New Zealand. Mr. W. Johnstone said there was plenty of business in Morrinsville for a man who knew his job. Mr. G. Howie: We want an experienced man. Mr. Leeson: We need a young man who can travel. Mr. Topham said that a drawback to Mr. Leeson’s scheme was the fact that having to pay two-thirds might be a deterrent to a man joining the club. He thought the original proposal the best. Every farmer should have the advantage of the veterinarian. Mr. Davies’ motion that a veterinary club be formed was seconded by Mr. Barrowclough. Mr. Carter suggested that the branch endeavour to secure a veterinarian in private practice in Morrinsville. This was the largest dairying centre in the world, and men should be “ falling over themselves ” for the position.

Mr. Allen suggested that before matters were finalised the veterinary authorities in Australia, the Appointments Board of Cambridge University, England, and the Royal College of Veterinarians, London, be written to pointing out the opening in Morrinsville.

Mr. S. Ferguson said he favoured this proposal. He did not think there were sufficient farmers of the same mind in Morrinsville to form a club and run it successfully. Mr. Roberts was also of the opinion that there was a splendid opening in Morrinsville for a qualified man. Mr. Allen moved on the lines of his remarks, Mr. R. C. Saxon seconding/ Mr. Davies withdrew his motion. Mr. Topham suggested that a firstclass passage be paid, provided a three years term was agreed to. Mr. Allen agreed to add this point to his resolution. The motion was carried without further discussion. It was decided to call a special meeting if necessary on receipt of replies.