9

H.—2

had allowed sheep to be carried by these vessels. The vessel referred to was unclean under their regulations, and had they permitted the shipping of sheep by that vessel possibly New South Wales or Victoria would have prevented Tasmanian stud sheep being landed. Therefore he suggested to his Government that they should not submit to the proposal of Messrs. Huddart, Parker, and Co.; and the Premier adopted his suggestion, and would not allow the vessel to carry sheep. He knew that it was the intention of Messrs. Huddart, Parker, and Co. to bring pressure to bear on the present Conference in order to undo what the Tasmanian regulations said they must do ; and, whatever was done by the Conference in respect to the quarantining of vessels, he did not think it should have a retrospective effect. Mr. Beuce suggested that the question should be postponed until the Conference came to deal with the regulations now in force. They would be in a better position then to consider the application. They could discuss the question as to whether the period should be reduced from six months to three months, and deal with the letter afterwards. The Chaieman could not see any harm in discussing the matter. Mr. Goedon said that if they reduced the term to three months it would be another three months before the regulations could be carried into effect. Consideration of the correspondence postponed. (See page 14.) Sale op Sheepskins pbom a Foeeign-going Vessel. Mr. Bbuce referred to an application he had received from Mr. Barker, wool-broker, of Sydney, asking that sheepskins off Australian sheep taken to Noumea be allowed to be brought back and sold in Sydney. He (Mr. Bruce) desired to take the opinion of the Conference on the matter. It was decided to consider the subject when the regulations were under review. The Peeiods of Quaeantine upon Stock. Mr. Tababt then read the following paper : — In my opinion, this is a subject deserving the most serious attention of this Conference. Taking into consideration the large numbers of stock depastured in Australasia, amounting in 1891 to the figures given below, viz.:— Horses. Cattle. Sheep. Pigs. 1,771,566 ... 11,489,596 ... 124,449,942 ... 1,152,851 it is evident that the introduction of foreign stock must be conducted upon a sure and safe basis, at the same time bearing in mind the fact that the interests of importers must be also studied. It is obvious, when we consider what are the contagious diseases most likely to be introduced, that the periods of incubation are so short that their detection upon arrival at Australasian ports would be reduced to an absolute certainty. Instance the case of glanders introduced into New South Wales by two show horses belonging to Sells Brothers' circus. The object of Stock Departments, I take it, should be, first, to secure safety from the introduction of disease by establishing a judicious term of quarantine for each particular class of stock; and secondly, to reduce as much as possible the charges upon the importer, who, while individually benefiting himself, indirectly confers a boon upon the colony as a whole by introducing new blood, into the flocks and herds. In this he should undoubtedly be encouraged. This subject has a most important bearing upon the Colonies of New Zealand and Tasmania. I feel assured that, even with the Tasmanian six months' and the New Zealand ninety days' quarantine, no sufficient safeguard exists against the introduction of pleuro-pneumonia into the above colonies from the mainland. This disease since its introduction into Australia has caused serious losses, and in many cases ruin, to owners of cattle-stations; and, even at the present time, notwithstanding the established practice of inoculation, disastrous outbreaks occur. To protect Tasmania against this disease, it is my intention to recommend to the Government that no description of cattle (other than for slaughtering purposes) be admitted from Australia over the age of two years, and that this condition shall also apply to foreign cattle. This may appear arbitrary, but it would minimise the risk of introducing pleuro into the colony from a beast that had been infected but has recovered, and is suffering from an encysted lung, which, under certain conditions, might cause an outbreak at a period remote from the apparent convalescence of the animal. I would also recommend this course of action to the New Zealand authorities. By adopting such a suggestion, importers would possibly have more confidence, when desiring to improve their herds, knowing that the risk of introducing disease is practically much reduced. Further, the great necessity for maintaining stringent inspection and quarantine regulations upon stock arriving from England is daily becoming more manifest. Not only is it necessary to prevent the introduction of infectious and contagious diseases, but also that of other pests, which may otherwise occur owing to the uncertain periods of incubation being either hastened or retarded by unusual conditions. An instance of this has come under my immediate observation. On the 11th December last three Devon cows were admitted to Nubeena Quarantine-station, and on the 23rd January following they developed warbles, the result of having been struck by the gad-fly (CEstrus bovis) prior to being placed on shipboard in England. Had they remained in England, I am credibly informed that no sign of the existence of the pest would have appeared until the spring months in that country —viz., March, April, and May; but, consequent upon the cattle undergoing an English summer and autumn and then being transported into our summer and autumn, without the severity of a winter intervening, the development of the larva? occurred at least two months earlier than would have resulted under natural conditions. This being the case, I deem it necessary to recommend that all the regulations now in force