THE CATTLE TICK.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 April 1919, Page 7

THE CATTLE TICK.

A GROWING MENACE DISCUSSED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerston N., March 28. Some rather startling information relative to the spread of the cattle tick in New Zealand was given by Mr. Hebenton at a meeting of the Farmers' Union Provincial Executive. Mr. Hebenton said that there could be no possible doubt that the cattle tick was spreading in New Zealano, and it was absolutely necessary that steps should be taken not only to prevent Its spread, but alsc the risk of its fur< tier introduction by the importation of cattle from infested countries. It was thought that there were some legal difficulties in the way of legislation which would deal effectively with the matter. Mr. Hebenton went on to point out that if the pest once got a bold in New Zealand the position would be serious. One thing was certain—that it would mean that farmers would have to dip their cattle three times a year. That would mean considerable expense in tlie erection of dips, to. Some _ areas in the north were already suffering from the pest in sufficiently virulent form to call for their isolation. In the interests of clean districts, drastic action should lie taken at once. Several other speakers endorsed the statement of Mr. Hebenton, and 011 liii> motion the following resolution was carried: "That this executive of the Wellington Provincial District of the Farmers' Union request the Board of Agriculture to fully investigate the introduction of the cattle tick into this country, and to isolate those districts in which it exists by getting legislation passed to prevent cattle being sent from those districts to other parts of New Zealand."