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This article was published in 1941
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INSTITUTE OF INSPECTORS OF STOCK OF N.S.W. YEAR BOOK.
AT STOCK INSPECTORS' CONFERENCE
Address by HON. W. F. DUNN. M.L.A.
Minister for Agriculture and Forests.
The Inspectors of Stock are holding their Conference after a lapse of over two years. In the state of uncertainty which existed at the usual time of the Conference last year, the Institute wisely decided not to hold a Conference. The Inspectors have now come together for the usual week, and, apart from matters of the internal economy of the Institute, will listen to lectures by visitors and members and discuss the subjects raised. They will also spend a day at the Glenfleld Veterinary Research Station, where a series of demonstrations have been prepared for them.
The Inspectors lead somewhat isolated lives and do not often secure opportunities of discussion with their colleagues, and consequently the opportunities presented by the conference are looked on as being very valuable.
It is unfortunate that pressure of work, the absence on military duty of so many men, and the numerous changes that have recently taken place in the Inspectors' ranks, have prevented the holding of many of the small district conferences which have been such a useful feature in the experience of Stock Inspectors of recent years.
The many changes to which reference is made are largely due to the operations of the amendment to the Local Government Act which enables a superannuation scheme for Stock Inspectors to be brought into being.
As is usual in such matters, the scheme acted a little hardly on some of the senior men, but will undoubtedly be a great boom to the majority, especially to the young men now entering the Service.
The last twenty years have seen a marked change in the activities of Inspectors and an ever-widening sphere of interest, including the diseases of all types of domesticated animals and birds. Amongst these diseased conditions is the serious question of blowfly in sheep and it is of interest to note that some of the Inspectors have been, or are now attending post-graduate schools in connection with all phases of the blowfly problem. Later district schools will be arranged at those officers of the Department and Inspectors who have attended the present schools will act as instructors.
Closing Avenues of Losses:
At all times, particularly in the period of stress through which we are now passing, there is a duty to prevent loss and waste, either of labour or material.
With a large number of men from rural centres overseas, the necessity for maximum efficiency in primary production is obvious, and it is clear, amongst many other avenues, that Stock Inspectors can render national service.
Stock Inspectors have a heavy task to see that only minimum losses occur form stock diseases, noxious animals, noxious weeds, erosion,etc.
Noxious Animals:
The rabbit, hare, fox and native dog are declared noxious throughout the State.
Indications are that in most districts rabbits are under control, the high rates now ruling for skins being a helpful supplement to the good work carried out by Pastures Protection Boards.
Losses from hares are so insignificant they are never mentioned amongst Pastures Protection Board activities.
Pastures Protection Boards have power to fix the rate of bonus to apply in their district for fox scalps. Usually the rate varies from 2/6 to 5/- per scalp, with the result that the bonus is only applied for outside the winter months. For the last year for which figures are available, only eight districts paid a bonus. There was a wide diversity in number of scalps paid for, ranging from as low as 2 in Cumberland District to nearly 1800 in Warialda District. Inverell paid for nearly 1000.
Losses from dingoes are more serious, but it is satisfactory to note the extent to which Pastures Protection Boards are awakening to the menace and with Departmental co-operation are organising more active campaigns against the pest.
A fact that causes concern is that in an area embracing five Pastures Protection Districts on the North Coast, 2000 scalps have been paid for each year over a period of at least fifteen years, also that in an area embracing three Pastures Protection Districts on the Northern Tablelands, about 1000 scalps have been paid for each year. It is disturbing that apparently payment of the bonus has not been responsible for any marked decrease in the number of scalps received; in other words, apparently the dingoes are as numerous now as 15 years ago.
This raises a question as to whether it is necessary for Pastures Protection Boards, apart from paying a bonus for scalps, to organise their districts into local associations for fighting the dingo, and particularly for organising drives and poisoning campaigns.
Throughout the State over 3000 dingo scalps are paid for, representing mostly dingoes that have been trapped or shot, and therefore taking no account of animals that are poisoned, whose scalps are not found.
As a contrast to other parts of the State, it should be mentioned that in the Western Division, through co-operation between the Government and Pastures Protection Boards' organisation, there has been a marked decrease; whereas fifteen years ago over 600 scalps were paid for, the number now is well under 50.
Noxious Weeds:
It is felt that public bodies should lead the way in control of noxious weeds and that there is a special responsibility on Pastures Protection Boards, equally with Shire and Municipal Councils.
For treatment of their Reserves, Pastures Protection Boards are dependent on revenue received from travelling stock.
The weeds which are causing the greatest concern at the present time on Travelling Stock Reserves are Mint Weed, Bathurst Burr and Noogoora Burr. There is a noticeable spread of Mint Weed in Pastures Protection Districts near the Queensland Border, and the outbreak of Bathurst and Noogoora Burrs during last Summer was the worst that has been noted for many years.
From the fact that fifteen weeds are declared noxious throughout the State, exclusive of the Western Division, and that a further 123 weeds are declared noxious in various localities, it will be readily understood that Pastures Protection Boards have a problem to face in keeping the Reserves cleared of noxious weeds, particularly in those Districts in which there are extensive areas of Stock Routes to control.
Erosion:
Permission to ringbark on Travelling Stock Reserves must be obtained from the Forestry Commission. That body now refers ringbarking applications to the Soil Erosion Committee, which is charged with the obligation to see that ringbarking does not lead to soil erosion.
Naturally, differences of opinion arise between Boards which desire to ringbark, and in many cases have had a great deal of freedom in this direction in past years. However, It is pleasing to note that as a result of negotiations and conferences which have taken place, matters are proceeding more smoothly, and no doubt in the near future a sound working arrangement will be arrived at.
Facilitating Travelling of Stock:
From time to time, and particularly at the Annual P P. Boards' Conference, attention is drawn to difficulties which arise in administering the Sections of the Act relating to travelling stock.
Some of these difficulties justify amendment of the Act and have been noted accordingly.
On the other hand, liberal interpretation of the Act in deserving cases is a matter which is within the control of Pastures Protection Boards and Stock Inspectors, particularly in regard to rate of travel, refund of travelling charges under Renewed Permits and the route to be travelled.
After all, it should be remembered that an Act of Parliament lays down the general principles to be observed, and it devolves on those who administer the Acts to apply them to the best interests of the community under the particular conditions which apply in local centres.
Public Watering Places:
Public Watering Places have been a new activity in Stock Inspectors' duties for the past six years, and it is satisfactory to note that satisfactory service has been rendered to travelling stock through these facilities.
In the Western Division particularly, Stock Inspectors have become closely associated with the watering places and have given ready cooperation to the official who carries out direct supervision of works that are undertaken by Pastures Protection Boards.