THE FARMERS’ UNION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2456, 22 March 1909, Page 3

THE FARMERS’ UNION.

VEIIERINARY SERVICES

A meeting of the Gisborne branch of the 'Farmers’ Union was held in tire Club rooms, buildings, on Saturday afternoon, to discuss the engagement of a'veterinarian. Mr. W. D. .Lysnar occupied the elixir, and there was a fair attendance. The Chairman said the first .thing to be considered was the veterinary branch of the Union, and the best means to put the system of veterinary aid on a better footing. He read the following report upon the work of the branch: “This important branch was inaugurated in August, 1908, for the purpose of supplying to members only veterinary services at a nominal cost, within the reach of all. At no time more than the present has the farmer stood so in need of veterinary assistance. The : dairying industry lias assumed such large portions, and is the sole means of existence of such a large number of the farming community, who at the same time are thereatened with diseases, whicliy if not checked, threaten the isolation, if not the destruction, of the herd, and with it the living of the farmer himself. Amongst the diseases trated this last season may be mentioned contagious abortion, inflammatory mammitis, tuberculosis, and septic metritis, besides other complaints. And where the cases have been taken in hand in the early stages, the results have been very satisfactory. The veterinary surgeon has also irrigated a large number of stock for sterility, both cattle, horses, and sheep, with tire .result that the percentage of sterility has been very much reduced, thus adding materially to the profit of the farmer. With a view to placing the veterinary section on a satisfactory footing for tiro coming . season, the whole "scheme has been carefully revised, and the vet.’s services are available for the coming season on the following terms: To Union members, 21s per annum, jn advance; non-Union members, £2 2s per annum, in advance. Together with such mileage as is hereafter specified. All members, irrespective of distance, shall pay to the vet. on each visit tho sum of 6d per mile, minimum 2s 6d; and no member shall have tlio right to claim the vet.’s services who is in. arrears for mileage charges. The vet. shall he paid in addition to the above fees, for all surgical operations, the sum of 10s 6d in the oase of Union members, and 21s by non-Union members. All drugs supplied by the vet. shall be paid for at the 'usual rates at the time the same is supplied (at the discretion of the vet.). Any person requiring the services of the vet, who is not a paid-up member of the Union, shall be charged the sum of 10s Gd a visit-, with Is per mile added. Surgical operations to be a' minimum of 21s. These charges to be due to and at the risk of the vet. surgeon. No member shall have the right to claim the vet.’a services untill the expiration of seven days -after he has paid his vet. subscription. Sheepfarmers and other not engaged in dairying shall be charged upon the following scale : Where the flock is regarded as under 5000, the foregoing rates; over 5000, the annual subscription shall be £2 2s lor members, and £4 4s for non-members.” The Chairman moved that the recommendations be adopted. The veterinary surgeon, ho said, had given every satisfaction, but it was to be regreteed that over £SO worth of fees were in arrears. Mr. Candy seconded the motion. Mr. Barton, Government veterinary surgeon, spoke upon the advantages of the Union retaining the services of a veterinarian, and the necessity for an idividual charge for each case; so as to prevent being called out for trivial eases. , ' , Mr. Luttrell submitted a report on the number of cases lie had attended while retained by the Union. Mr. J. C. Field said he knew of Ins' own knowledge of tho good work Mr. Luttrell had done. Ho thought it would be a good thing if the'Government made veterinary supervision imperative upon farmers. The Chairman said he would like to see a meeting held in some outlying district to bring the advantages of the scheme under the notice of farmers. It might be possible to arrange with the dairy, companies to deduct so much pei® month from the milk cheques for the services of the vet-. The motion altering the conditions of payment for the services of the. veterinarv surgeon was carried. Mr/ Candy moved that a meeting of suppliers to the two butter factories be called, so that the scheme can be placed before the farmers. The motion was carried, the directors of the companies-to arrange the meetings. - The Chairman said he- had heeen informed that -rabbits were coming into the district, and he thought- the Anion should consider whether the Government should be asked to' construct a rabbit-proof fence. He moved that the Government bo asked to report to the Union as to- whether rabbits veie increasing or not. Mr. Field said tho matter was important, and he was sure that the Union would have the support of the settlers in any representations made to the Government. He thought the inspector of the rabbit area might >c asked to meet the Union to discuss the matter. , , Mr. Feld’s suggestion was adopted,, and the nieeeting closed.