1921.] Embargo on Canadian Cattle. 1003 



infection did not come from Canada. On the other hand, the 

 countries adjacent to us on the continent of Europe were 

 infected with cattle disease to an unprecedented extent, and, 

 bearing in mind the fact that any fresh legislation for removing 

 the embargo could hardly be limited in its operation to the 

 Dominion of Canada, it was not desirable to run the risk of 

 fresh disease which the admission of store cattle would involve. 

 One great protection which was enjoyed at present was the 

 " moat " which surrounded these islands, and having that 

 protection, which was conferred by Nature and confirmed by 

 Act of Parliament, it would require a good deal more argument 

 than had at present been advanced to justify any departure 

 from the policy maintained under the existing law. At the 

 same time, it was very desirable to keep an open mind on 

 questions of this kind, particularly scientific questions, and in 

 addition to referring the problems arising out of disease to a 

 Scientific Committee, the question of the effect of the importa- 

 tion of store cattle on the general agricultural interests of this 

 country was being referred, not only to the new Council of 

 Agriculture for England, constituted under the Act of 1919, 

 but also to the Agricultural Advisory Committee for England 

 and Wales. Pending the official expression of the views of 

 these responsible bodies, it was not desirable that the Minister 

 should express any further opinion with regard to future policy, 

 but at the present moment, and as at present advised, his view 

 was that the time was not opportune for the introduction of 

 the legislation that would be necessary to secure the end which 

 the deputation had in view. 



Mr. May, in thanking the Minister for receiving the deputa- 

 tion, said that the Minister's definite and detailed reply 

 contained important points which would require the most 

 careful consideration of the deputation before any further 

 action were undertaken. 



