OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 June 1939, Page 8

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

T.B. IN COWS (To the Editor.) Sir,—ln a recent publication the Minister of Agriculture is reported to have stated that the reason the tuberculin test was not applied to all the dairy cows in the Dominion was that 60 per cent would react, and the cost would be prohibitive. Firstly. I think the Minister has been misinformed as to the percentage. Then the Minister contradicts all the professions of his colleagues when he places the value of money before human life and suffering. If the position is half as bad, as the Minister states, this should be sufficient reason to have the test applied without delay. When it comes to costs, surely human beings are worth more than cows’. It is a queer thing that a country that has so many advantages, from a health point of view, should have such a high rate of T.B. This, I am sure, can be traced to the dairy cow, to a great extent. It is the same old story, dealing with effects and letting the cause flourish. Every year there is a greater increase in the cost, in money, to deal with this plague. Surely it is more economical to remove the cause. This can be done if the tuberculin test is applied to all cows producing milk for food in any form, whether milk, butter or cheese. And the test must be complete inasmuch that no cow should be allowed to produce, unless she is certified free from disease.—l am, etc., ARTHUR lORNS.

THE RIMUTAKA TUNNEL (To the Editor.) Sir, —Some weeks ago I wrote you, asking some worthy citizen to give me some information about that wonderful Rimutaka railway tunnel. Apart from a witty remark by a Greytown gentleman, who compared it to my nom de plume, I failed to “get a bite.” However, I will repeat some of my questions in the hope that someone will give the information. I roughly estimated the cost of the tunnel at a million pounds but my friend “Max” informs me that it would- be more likely double that. Well, I will split the difference and estimate it at millions, annual interest at 31 per cent (too low), is £52,500. (1) Is the Wairarapa district going to benefit by that amount? (2) If so, who are going to benefit? (3) Are those who benefit prepared to pay? (4) If not, do they. expect the poor New Zealand taxpayer to do so? Unless the scheme is going to benefit the district by at least £lOO,OOO per annum, there is no reason that I can see for this much talked of tunnel. I have, I believe, been very conservative in my estimates. I have an open mind on the subject and am quite willing to be convinced that it is a fair thing for the New Zealand public to put through this tunnel for the benefit of people in the Wairarapa district. Hoping these few lines will encourage readers of the “Times-Age” to write and give their views.—Yours, etc., “ANON.” Masterton, June 15.