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This article was published in 1945
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INSTITUTE OF INSPECTORS OF STOCK OF N.S.W. YEAR BOOK.
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
19th-23rd March, 1945.
Opening Address The Hon. E. H. Graham, M.L.A., Minister for Agriculture.
Mr. President and Gentlemen — At the outset I wish to thank you for the invitations which you have extended to me; not only to open this Annual Conference conducted by your Institute, but also to accompany you on your visits to the Glenfield Veterinary Research Station and the Hawkesbury Agricultural College during this week. I welcome the opportunity of meeting you here today, and of addressing briefly such a representative gathering of Inspectors from all sections of the State. Unfortunately, owing to great pressure of work it will not be possible for me to accompany you to Hawkesbury, but I am looking forward to being with you to-morrow, to see with you the recent advances in many phases of veterinary science for which that very valuable research station has been responsible.
As a stockowner, I fully realise the importance of the great service which Inspectors of Stock, well trained in veterinary matters, are so capable of rendering to the stock industry of this State in particular, and of the Commonwealth in general. Your services were most valuable in times of peace and you have shown that they can be of even greater importance in times of war. The absence of a number of your confreres in the Services, both at home and abroad, has thrown a greater burden on those remaining, but that burden has been shouldered with considerable ability and cheerfulness. War conditions also have been responsible for the return to your ranks of several of your members who were enjoying a well earned respite after long years of duty. I commend the time spirit of loyalty displayed by you all.
Inspectors of Stock net only contribute very largely to the effective operation of an efficient veterinary service and ensure the maintenance of the health of stock over very extensive areas, but also see to it that the best use, without abuse, can be made of travelling stock reserves provided to facilitate the movement of our stock population. Without properly improved and maintained and adequately supervised stock routes and reserves it would be almost impossible for the industry to function. No doubt the expansion of railway facilities and the expansion of motor transport have done much to ease the demand on reserves, but very large numbers of stock still travel on the hoof and there is still a very important job to be done in maintaining, as well as further improving, the routes and reserves in your Districts. The appalling drought which has harassed such a large number of stockowners for so long and has involved all of you in a very appreciable amount of extra work, has brought into relief the absolute necessity for the provision of adequate water supplies. Over and over again it has been seen that without the watering places provided by the foresight of the P. P. Boards and their actors many thousands of stock could not have been kept alive in times of drought.
In other ways, too, Inspectors of Stock are called upon to render assistance during periods of drought or near-drought conditions. My Department looks to you to supply comprehensive reports concerning the pastoral outlook in your District so that freight rebates and concessions on fodder carried by rail for starving stock may be extended to all areas in need of such aid. In these areas, most unfortunately so extensive, Inspectors have greatly increased duties in certifying to the necessary details to facilitate the working of the relevant section of the Railway Department.
From the intimate knowledge which they have of their Districts most Inspectors have been able to render great assistance as members, and even Chairmen, of War Agricultural Committees; and all of you are in an excellent position to advise your Boards on post-war developmental schemes. In addition, reports have been called for from Inspectors on various aspects of post-war planning and rural rehabilitation and development. My Department and I personally appreciate the obvious thought and extensive work put into those reports by so many Inspectors.
It is realised, of course, that much of your work is being handicapped by difficulties connected with obtaining adequate petrol supplies, in particular, and tyres and spare parts; though I can assure you that continuous efforts are being made by the officers of my Department to improve the position.
I have noted with particular pleasure that Inspectors in an increasing number of the larger and busier Districts have had clerical assistance provided by their Boards. From the nature of your duties it is inevitable that you must be faced with a large amount of office work, but nevertheless you are field officers essentially and I always have held the opinion that it was absolutely wrong that a trained scientist should have to spend so much of his valuable time punching a typewriter. The provision of clerical assistance represents a very distinct advance as it permits Inspectors to spend more time where they can do most good, and at the same time facilitates the submission of valuable reports and necessary returns.
Fortunately for the State there has not been any serious outbreak of disease during this year, such as was experienced, for instance, with the epidemic of Swine Fever which occurred during 1942-43; but nevertheless some disease conditions are ever-present and, however relatively minor in nature they may be, require your constant vigilance. As an example, bovine pleura-pneumonia still is liable to be responsible for great economic loss to the cattle industry, and the control of this disease requires great care and accuracy on the part of Inspectors. The danger of the introduction to this country of very grave di!eases from which we most fortunately are at present free becomes more pronounced almost daily. To prevent the illegal introduction of animals and birds requires the maximum vigilance, in which you in the field play no small part.
There has been made to the Department by Pastures Protection Boards representations that graduates in Veterinary Science appointed as Inspectors of Stock should be given some training in the practical aspects of their work before taking up duty in the Districts to which they are allotted. I favour the proposal and consider it would be a benefit to the P.P. Boards and the Department for such new appointees to spend some months with a senior Inspector to secure practical information experience in what will be their work. During such probation the appointee would be paid by the Department as a Veterinary Officer; and this plan will be put into operation as soon as circumstances permit.
In declaring your Annual Conference open I trust that it will be of great benefit to Inspectors and those men whom they serve. I hope that you will return to duty invigorated by a short respite from your daily round, and refreshed by your discussions with your fellow workers in a great cause.