The Daily News WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1905. ANTHRAX.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7757, 8 March 1905, Page 2

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 1905. ANTHRAX.

One of the most- dcba'ied subjects at present occupying' the minds of our agriculturalists is this prevention of the spread of anthrax. It is now some years since this unwelcome visitant lirst appeared in the colony, though fortunately in one case only has it proved fatal '1 o human beings. TThe representations of the various agricultural societies, farmers' unions, and kindred bodies roused the Government to some sense of its duty to our farming population, but after much advertising of the intention to erect sterilising plant at the BlulT and at Auckland, the authorities suddenly turned round and abandoned the scheme, prefer- I ring to send an officer to superintend the process at the port of shipment. This may be cheaper, but I it is by no means as effective as the original plan. There would still j be danger of contagion on the voj- ' age, for, as is well known, the germs are extremely tenacious of Jife, and would thrive in the hold •of a vessel, were such inoculated by unstcrilised bones previously shipped. As to the question of expense, it is doubtful whether the general charge for sterilisation would be at all oijual to the loss which would be sustained were the disease firmly established within our coasts. At any cost the colony must be kept clean, anil if the cost of the plant is prohibitive the only safe course open would be to refuse art- I mission of manures from infected localities, for it is possible to ft'et, a plentifiil supply of phosphates beside, bonedust. and -an forms winch are I not subject to infection by disease, of any kind. Inspection at the port! of shipment is by no means a • guarantee that sterilising has been, efficiently carried out, and the (!overnmcnt should be impressed with the ' desirability of their reconsidering i the decision not to erect the neces-' snry plant within the colony. OX THE FOVKTH J'AGE. Literature. General News.