THE CATTLE TICK.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 June 1921, Page 10

THE CATTLE TICK.

SCHEME FOR (ERADICATION. DEPARTMENT'S PROPOSALS. The proposals of the Department of Agriculture in regard to the eradication of cattle tick were outlined by Mr. A. R. Young, director of the live stock in division, at the Auckland provincial conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ last week. A remit from Te Awamutu, “That the regulations regarding cattle tick be strictly enforced by the Department of Agriculture,” was placed before the meeting. Mr. Young said he was not prepared to discuss the remit, because it inferred that the regulations had not been strictly enforced in the past. They had come to a time when it was necessary to review the whole question of cattle tick in New Zealand. Some time ago he prepared a few amendments to the Act, but with the consent of the Minister he was taking the opportunity of first discussing the matter with the farmers. The "history of the cattle tick in any country where it had established itself was that sooner or later the tick picked up some disease and spread it about. The first idea was that the tick in New Zealand might be eradicated, and with that object in view he proposed to divide the infected, area into two districts, one badly infected, and the other not sobadly infected; It was proposed, said Mr. Young, that all infected stock should be dipped every 21 days. The reason for this was that ticks existed on scrub and anything else on the farm, and the cattle, after being dipped, went back on the farm to collect more ticks. The female tick, as soon as it was ready, dropped off the cattle, arid sought a quiet place to lay its eggs, being capable of laying about 3000 at one time. It was proposed to make the dipping compulsory, but. unless every farmer was going to do it, it would be no use anyone doing it. Those men who tried to eradicate the tick were entitled to a certain amount of protection. It had come to the knowledge of the department in Wellington that some farmers in the Auckland Province had been very energetic in erecting dips, but it was also aware that others would not take the trouble to bring their -attie to the dips. He wanted to insist that all cattle leaving one area for another should be dipped. In America, Australia, and every other part of the world where the tick existed, except in Java, where it was hopeless, efforts at eradication were being carried out successfully. Seed was a carrier of tick, and he wanted to prohibit seed coming from Australia or any other place where tick existed without it being fumigated before being sent to the farm. The Government, the speaker added, was determined to prevent the tick from spreading any further. (Applause.)

Considerable discussion ensued regarding the proposed boundaries. Mr. T. Jenkins (Kaipara) asked whether all cattle in “A” district had to be dipped or only those infected- with tick.

Mr. Young said that only cattle infected with tick would have to be dipped. Any cattle leaving the district, however, would have to be dipped. Tn .reply to another question, Mr. Young said it was a mistaken idea that tick did not exist in cold or wet conditions. If the farmers got rid of tick on the cattle they would be going a long way toward getting rid of the pest aL together. To a- certain extent the tick damaged the hides of cattle. The opinion was expressed by some farmers present that dipping every three weeks would be a financial burden. One speaker la id stress upon the necessity for Maoris being compelled to comply with the regulations, otherwise the efforts of adjoining farmers would be nullified. Good results obtained by spraying was also referred to, Mr. Young said he would be pleased to

consider any suggestions sent to him for combating the menace. The remit from Te Awamutu was withdrawn in favor of a resolution approving of the regulations as outlined, and promising the department cordial assistance in carrying them out. This resolution was carried unanimously.