The Outbreak of Cattle-Plague, 
221 
Mr. BOWEN JONES then moved the following Resolutions, of 
which he had given notice : — 
"That a memorial be presented by this Conn oil to the Government, 
calling attention to the insufficiency of the present regulations for the pre- 
vention of the introduction and spread of contagious diseases in cattle, and 
urging upon it the necessity of insisting — 
" 1st. That any live animals imported into this country for food shall he ' 
slaughtered at the ports of debarkation. 
" 2nd. That to prevent the exclusion of valuable store stock, such stock 
may be imported under licence and subject to quarantine at certain ports, 
which shall be set apart for the purpose. 
"3rd. That uniform and compulsory measures shall be enforced throughout 
the kingdom for the suppression of contagious diseases in cattle." 
He had thought it better to bring these resolutions before the 
Monthly Council rather than before the special Council which 
had been so wisely called to meet on the 20th of last month, 
because they applied more to general policy than to the specific 
outbreak of cattle-plague which that special Council had been 
called upon to deal with. The first resolution did not entirely 
embody his own views, but he had been given to understand 
that he might receive more support from other members of the 
Council by advocating the slaughter of cattle at the ports of 
debarkation instead of the ports of embarkation. Amongst 
other arguments against the more stringent measure, he had 
been informed that in some localities — such as the east end of 
London — the employment of a large portion of the population, 
and the supply of food to a still greater number of the working 
classes, was dependent on the foreign cattle trade. He could 
understand that a responsible minister would desire to avoid 
such an organised opposition as might take place in the event 
of his making a proposition to slaughter all foreign cattle on 
the other side of the water, but this Society ought not to con- 
sider the matter in that way. He regarded his first resolution 
as simply a means to an end ; and if the Society would be 
unanimous in going further, he would be quite prepared to 
modify his Resolution accordingly. It might be urged that the 
Government had already gone farther than his Resolution con- 
templated, and if it were passed it would be asking them to 
limit their present powers, although they are not now sufficient 
to keep the disease out of the country. He did not wish to 
limit the present powers of the Government, but he thought 
there was greater probability of cattle-plague being introduced 
into the country under the existing system, as it was carried 
out under ordinary circumstances, than if all fat cattle were 
slaughtered at the port of landing. Up to January lGth sheep 
and goats from Germany could be landed in England, and if 
found healthy, after twelve hours' detention, could go into all 
