§ 55. Captain Peter Macdonaldasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is satisfied that, under present conditions, 1677 every veterinary surgeon is giving full-time service; and whether, in view of the substantial loss to the country which still results from mortality of dairy stock and other animals from disease, he will arrange for county war agricultural committees to provide, at State expense if necessary, veterinary inspection and treatment, even where this is not sought by individual farmers?
Mr. HudsonIn so far as all veterinary surgeons may not be fully employed, the voluntary scheme for the control of diseases of dairy cattle introduced on 1st June, and the realisation on the part of farmers of the advantage of consulting their veterinary surgeons at an early stage of any trouble, should result in the fuller utilisation of the services of the veterinary profession. The suggestion made in the latter part of the Question is impracticable, if only because the successful control of diseases of animals depends very largely upon willing co-operation between farmer and practitioner.