STOCK DISEASE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 April 1938, Page 8

STOCK DISEASE

OUTBREAK OF FACIAL ECZEMA SERIOUS POSITION IN SOUTH AUCKLAND. MINISTER PROMISES PROMPT ACTION' By Telegraph.—Press Association. HAMILTON, This Day. Statements that the production of butterfat in the Morrinsville district had dropped thirty per cent in the last three weeks and that numerous herds had been completely dried off as a result of an outbreak of facial eczzema, and that the disease was rapidly spreading throughout South Auckland, were made at a mass meeting of dairy and sheep farmers at Keroene. It was estimated that 20,000 sheep had been discarded at freezing works on account of the disease. Dairymen in many cases were reported to be using condensed milk in their houses owing to the cows drying off. It was also stated that dogs and pigs had been affected. At the close of the meeting a representative committee discussed the position with departmental officers; who proposed stationing a veterinary staff at Morrinsville immediately. The Hon Lee Martin (Minister of Agriculture), who was present, assured his hearers that the Department was anxious to do all it possibly could to bring the trouble to an end and see that there was no recurrence. The Minister, after outlining the steps he had taken since the position in the Waikato was first reported, asked for the co-operation of farmers and added: “I promise that no stone will be left unturned as far as my Department is concerned in preventing a fresh outbreak.”

The Minister said the same disease had been experienced in South Africa for eighteen years and experts there were no nearer a solution than when they began. He promised that a comprehensive and continuous survey would be made to ascertain the cause and incidence of the disease. It might be necessary to import specialists to assist those in. New Zealand.. As far as the financial aspect of the position was concerned, he could make no promises, but he assured his hearers that the Government would never turn an unsympathetic ear to any farmer in distress.