NOT SICK

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 273, 13 July 1932, Page 2

NOT SICK

GALATEA CONDITIONS FARMERS AND EXPERTS AGREE THAT FEARS ARE GROUNDLESS STOCK HITHERTO SOUND Since Sir Apirana Ngata made reference to the fears entertained by the Government regarding the existerice jf hush-sickness on Galatea, there has been widespread comment among thh farmers upon the subject, and there can be ri'o doubt whatever that the fears dxpressed by the Minister have f oUnd no support with practical men well qualified to judge the pogition. A representative of the "Morning Post" has made most careful inquiries among men who possess intimate knowledge of the land at Galatea, Ngakuru and Horohoro and they unhesitatingly declare that there is no reason to entertaiif the slightest fear regarding siclmess. The assurance is given by both experts and men who have had practical experience of farming the lands in question. The proof of the pudding is in the eating of it, and it is generally acknowledged that splendid stock has been turned off Galatea for manj' years without any evidence of sickness beyond customary stock ailments which provide no grounds for suspecting specific trouble. This applies to both sheep and cattle. Why then, it is asked, this sudden nervousness over the possibility of serious trouble ? It must be remembered that Galatea is not What may be called new couritry. It has been grazed for years, and if the sickneSs had been in the ground it would surely have been manifested in no uncertain way long before now. It is true that under the proposals which the Government had in view large areas of the estate would be more intensely cultivated than in the past with, consequently, more concentrated grazing. Some farmers are of opinion that wide ranging and a varied choice of feed helps to keep stock more or less free from sickness, but on the other hand the higher nutritive standard of well-fixed, permanent pastures has much more than a counter-balancing effect upon the general health of a herd. Results From New Land If, however, it is deemed possible that cultivation is a probable factor in bringing out latent qualities producing bush' sickness why has this not occurred at Ngakuru, where the oldest pasture has only about two years' growth ? The scientific men who have raised such grave fears in the minds of the Ministers associated with land settlement would he hard put to it to find evidences of malnutrition among the herds on that country today. Men who have kept close watch upon the development of the area are quite prepared to discount any rumours of potential trouble. As reported last week the cattle are wintering splendidly and showing splendid condition with a minimum of hand-feed-ing, and the milk production per cow last season on the demonstration farm showed that the land can grow pasture of excellent quantity and quality. Although the Hon. Sir Apirana has also mentioned Horohoro as possibly affected (and this is one of his own special blocks), sound opinion from men who know the soil and have watched the stock, goes to show that the fear are quite groundless. It is

fairly evident that the Minister does not harbour the suspicion himself and it can only be concluded that he was carried away by the iiecessity for a departmental excuse for delay at Galatea. Winter Treatment The necessity for special winter treatment on these lands has not been established, but responsible authorities say that this can be made beneficial in any case. The success which has attended the use of iimonite on sheep in the pumice region is held to thoroughly justify its use for stock generally, apart from areas which are known to he sick. It is reasonably. cheap and its use is confidently expected to have a very useful affeet upon the health' of stock wherever it is intelligently used.