THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3090, 12 January 1909, Page 7

THE VETERINARY DEPARTMENT.

MR GILRUTH INTERVIEWED. By Telegraph—Press Association. WELLINGTON, January 11. Mr J. A. Gilruth, in an interview with a "Post" reporter, gave some details of the work of the Veterinary Department over the last fifteen years. He said that Blackleg has practically ceased. Contagious Tiiammitis is fairly prevalent in dairying districts throughout the country, and there were no legislative means of preventing the contaigon spreading, although he had repeatedly urged legislation. Tuberculosis is aldo prevalent, and Mr Gilruth says if it will ever be economi- J cally possible to eradicate the disease, now is the time to do it. No 'outbreak of anthrax has occurred tor four years, and swine fever has been stamped out. Asked about dairy inspection, he i ■advocated inspection by veterinarians. So fai as the Dairy Regu- j lations, which caused such a stir, | were concmii'd, he said he had never j bee!) consulted about them. They had never been submitted to him in any shape or form. His opinion was not even asked by the Selection •C'mmittee which considered the Regulations during the sitting of Parliament, nor was the opinion of a young member of his staff, who for a number of years was specially engaged by the authorities in Edinburgh to supervise the milk supply in that city. Expert inspection was vwhat was required. |