482 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
“ Your committee have heard important evidence on the 
Bill referred to them. 
“Your committee are strongly impressed with the neces- 
sity for adopting every available precaution against the 
spread of all infectious and contagious disorders amongst 
sheep, cattle, and horses, in this country ; but the evidence 
brought before them shows the difficulty, if not the impos- 
sibility, of legislating further upon the subject, without 
seriously interfering with and hampering the legitimate 
operations of trade in these animals, and the committee are 
not therefore prepared to recommend to the house to pro- 
ceed further with the Bill referred to them. 
“ With reference to the question of the spread of such 
disorders being increased by the importation of sheep and 
cattle affected with any such disorders from abroad, the 
committee are of opinion that the same difficulties present 
themselves in the way of further legislation upon that sub- 
ject, as has already been adverted to in this report with 
reference to the home trade. 
“ Your committee are also of opinion that ample powers 
for the purposes of precaution are already vested in the 
executive, and they would earnestly recommend the utmost 
vigilance on the part of the proper authorities in dealing 
with a question of such vital importance to both the pro- 
ducers and consumers of animal food in this country ” 
We may well anxiously inquire whether we are long to be 
left in such an unsatisfactory position as this ? Is nothing 
of an efficient nature to be done to stem the torrent of 
destruction, simply because a few difficulties present them- 
selves ? Is it for this reason alone that no effort is to be 
made to limit the extension of destructive diseases far too 
long resident among us ? And are there no means at com- 
mand to check the progress of the most fatal malady known 
as attacking cattle, if so be, unfortunately, -it too should 
show itself in this country ? Further, can no middle course 
be found between the extreme severity of continental legis- 
lation and the “do nothing system ” at home? We wait 
the reply. Science stands ready to assist, and sad experience 
calls loudly for her aid. 
