CANADIAN STORE CATTLE 55 



The argument that dairy farmers and cattle breeders oppose 

 the importation of stores because the present restrictions act in 

 a protective manner is neither sound nor correct, except in so 

 far as protection from disease is concerned. Very many dairy 

 farmers are not breeders, as they buy newly calved cows in the 

 market and sell them again when dry. If unrestricted importa- 

 tion of stores were permitted this class might possibly buy slightly 

 cheaper, and it might therefore be thought that they would 

 favour their importation, but they wisely prefer security to a 

 possible reduction in the price of their renewals. 



It is said that breeders have nothing to fear, as those having 

 pedigree stock do not let their animals intermingle with others 

 intended for the butcher (Dundee Courier, 16th March, 1906). 

 But infection may be carried for miles by birds, foxes, cats, or 

 hares, and it is not necessary for intermingling to take place for 

 herds to become infected. In fact, it is impossible in this country 

 to effectually isolate a herd at a sufficient distance from the 

 source of infection. 



It is said " that large numbers of graziers require them." This 

 is not true. It is true that a limited number of farmers (nearly 

 all of whom are found in restricted areas in Scotland, and a part 

 of Norfolk) think that the admission of stores would cheapen 

 their raw material, though this remains to be proved. Some of 

 these have boldly asserted that they would rather have cheap 

 stores with disease than the continuation of restrictions and 

 freedom from disease. This is very short-sighted policy on 

 their part, for directly an outbreak of any sort occurred the 

 movement of all kinds of stock for a wide radius around the 

 infected area would be prohibited, and they would be unable 

 to purchase stores of any kind. This might, of course, occur 

 just when their root crops were ready for consumption, and thus 

 a whole year's crop be wasted. 



It is a great mistake to suppose that this carefully engineered 

 agitation in favour of repealing the Act of 1896 has been organised 

 by farmers. The chief promoters of this movement have been 

 shippers, dealers, and officials of a few big Corporations, who 

 expect to increase their wharf dues, and to make a profit in other 

 ways out of the trade in foreign stores. The number of farmers 

 who support them is less than one per cent, of the farmers of the 

 United Kingdom, but the agitators have carefully put these few 

 well in the front. 



FROM THE COLONIAL POINT OF VIEW. 



Another argument used is that the exclusion of Canadian 

 stores is opposed to the present spirit of Imperialism. If 

 Canadians were unanimously anxious to send their cattle here in 

 a lean condition instead of fat we should regret extremely having 

 to oppose their wishes. But Canada is by no means 

 unanimous. 



