THE BACON INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8136, 19 June 1906, Page 2

THE BACON INDUSTRY.

ALLEGED DISEASE IN TARA- | NAKI HEEDS. In the course of a trenchant article the Eltliam " Argus" takes the " New Zealand Times" to task for circulating, without full investigation, unpleasant details in connection with the people's meat supplies. The " Argus" alleges that the " Times" has accepted and printed certain information tljat was derived from an absolutely biased and unreliable Bonrce, " and it is only our knowledge of the uncertainties of the law of libel that prevents us from exposing the exposed, and thus showing that our contemporary (the New Zealand Times) has, in one instance

' at least, been made the tool of a party who had a personal grudge to pay off. | The "Argus" then proeecds:—So far [ as Taranaki is concerned a cruel blow ; has boan dealt at it by Mr W Dimock, win mado some rather sweeping assjrtions concerning the prevalence of disease amongst pigs in this province. Ho is reported to have said that Taranaki is " the worst district he knows f or tuberculosis in pigs." This is about as hard a knock as Mr Dimock

could have dealt at our Taranaki farmer*, who, against keen comoetition, ire ende ivouring to build up the pig. rating industry. Wedinothvk at this matter merely from an Etlum ■icint of view. It was not Eltliam district be condemned, but Taranaki. ii'id Taranaki farmers as a whole are iffected by the indictment which he has been pleased to lay against the province. But there is one peculiar phase of the matter that attracts our notice and to which we wish b draw attention. If Taranaki pigs are so troubled with tuberculosis how comes jt that Mr Dimock is such a keen buyer in this district P Why does ho scour the country north, east, south and west in order to secure pigs, a very large proportion, of which, according nn j ° Wn sllowin & are diseased? Why does he at times give higher prices than any other factory for a supply of Taranaki pig.s which, if they ire diseased, must involve him in con- . jiiderablc loss P If the pigs are as badly all'cetcd as he say;s they are why i is he so persistent in buying them ? j Why does he use our advertising j columns to aid him in procuring a ] supply of pigs so many of which are j diseased r 1 What becomes of these , diseased pigs after they reach Mr | Dimock s curing establishment, f' Are - they condemned, and if not why not ? | Mr Dimoek's killing establishment is s under Government inspection and if i | the Taranaki pigs are as bad as he savs [ they are they must bo condemned a and yot he keeps on buying in this j market. If they are not condemned d then Mr Dimock has grossly wronged ] the farmers of Taranaki to whom an s explanation is due. j