43

H.—2

Mr. Goedon thought the paper very valuable for many reasons, giving as it did a short and Concise history of the frozen-meat industry. Mr. Bbuce added his thanks to Mr. Brydone for his paper, and thought it was needless to say anything as to its importance and value. The paper spoke for itself. The frozen-meat trade had saved New Zealand from very great difficulties, and they in New South Wales hoped that it would benefit their colony in the same way. Motion agreed to. Mr. Beydone expressed pleasure at the manner in which his paper had been received. It had been rather hurriedly put together, and he regretted not having been able to devote more time to its preparation. He need not say that anything he had done to further the frozen-meat and dairy industries had been done for the benefit of the colony as a whole, and not only for that of the company he represented, and it was very pleasing to know that those industries were turning out so successfully. Ordered, That the papers, and report of discussion thereon, be printed separately for general distribution. Besolutions adopted by the Confeeence. The resolutions previously discussed were brought up for confirmation. Besolutions 1 to 8, as passed, were confirmed. Introduction of Foreign Animals. Clause 9 and 10, with subclauses, as amended, confirmed. Clause 11, subclauses (1) to (3), confirmed. Subclause (4) : " That notice be given to the owner when any stock are ailing, or about to be destroyed." Mr. Beuce raised the question whether it would not be better to exclude veterinary surgeons who might be called in by the owner, and throw the responsibility of treating stock upon the Government Veterinary Surgeon. Mr. Boag said a man might have a valuable animal ailing, which he would like to see himself, and get independent advice. He saw no reason for altering the clause. Mr. Eitchie said he had an objection to an outside veterinary surgeon coming in and taking charge. As stock in quarantine were under the charge of the Government, it was their duty to get the best advice they could. He had no objection to an owner being advised when his stock were ailing, but would object to any interference with departmental treatment. It was better to leave such matters to the Government. Mr. Pack agreed with Mr. Eitchie, but thought an owner should have power to send a veterinary surgeon to consult with the Government Veterinary Surgeon. Mr. Tabaet said that, the stock having been quarantined, the owner should have notice if it were ailing; but the Government Veterinary Surgeon only should have the right of looking after it. It was the duty of the Government to have a competent veterinary surgeon, who should look after such stock, and no other. The Chaieman said that the clause only prescribed that the owner should have notice if the stock were ailing. Subclause passed as printed. Subclauses (5) and (6), as amended, were confirmed. Subclause (7): " That cattle, sheep, and pigs exported to Australasia be shipped from the ports of London or Glasgow." Mr. Tabaet quoted his remarks contained in his paper on " The Periods of Quarantine upon Stock" (see page 9) in reference to the introduction of warbles into Tasmania by Devon cattle, and said these facts had come under his immediate attention, and he thought it was a matter which should be taken up by the Conference. Mr. Eoberts would tell them that he was a passenger on board the same vessel which had brought these cattle out to Tasmania, and that when they arrived at Hobart they appeared to be perfectly healthy. After their arrival in December they developed warbles. He thought it would be a very serious matter to introduce such a pest as that into either New Zealand or Australia. He hoped the Conference would take the same view of the matter as he did, and would restrict the importation of animals from England to the months of April, May, and June. He would move the following addition to "clause 7: "That the exportation of cattle from the United Kingdom be restricted to the months of April, May, and June." Mr. Eobeets seconded. He could bear out what Mr. Tabart had stated in his paper with regard to the Devon cattle which came out in the " Coptic," for to his personal knowledge they were as healthy-looking a lot of cattle as he had ever seen, and he had been very much surprised to learn, when Mr. Tabart read his paper, that they had developed any kind of disease. He thought Mr. Tabart deserved the thanks of the Conference for bringing the matter forward and seeking to get regulations framed to prevent the introduction of this and similar pests. Mr. McClean said that before they finally decided to restrict the cattle to April, May, and June he would like to mention that it was not clearly defined how long the cattle were absolutely free from the gad-fly. He had looked up Neumann, which he thought was one of the latest authorities, and he gave the period that elapsed before the appearance of the fully-developed fly as about six weeks. Before coming to a conclusion it would be as well to make sure that they would derive some benefit in restricting the importation of cattle. As the period appeared to be uncertain, he did not think it was wise to impose these restrictions until they got some authoritative information. Mr. Eitchie said, on referring to " Steel on Oxen," he found that the time the gad-fly appeared was the end of summer. The abscess burst about June or July, and, if they shipped in May, June, or July, then the abscess might burst immediately the cattle were aboard the ship, and the insect burrow itself about the fittings of the ship and lie there during the passage of six weeks. It would be undesirable to find that, after passing such a motion as that proposed, they were wrong,