EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
519 
liberalism never fails to find an excuse for allowing an evil to 
go unredressed. The people must take the initiative, and it is 
this great lesson which must be taught the occupiers of the 
soil. We could understand something of their inaction if the 
disease attacked old, ill-conditioned, or inferior animals alone, 
but it is an undisputed fact that no breeds are exempt nor 
any age secure. Prize cattle, which may be individually 
worth their hundreds for stock purposes, are alike the victims 
of the malady with the worst-bred animals of the farm. It was 
a knowledge of this fact which caused so painful an interest 
in Australia on the introduction of the disease. The new 
settlers saw that unless something were done, not only would 
their efforts to improve the native breeds be abortive, but 
that even these would fall a sacrifice in countless numbers to 
the extension of the malady. The measure is a strong one, 
but not more so than is required to meet the exigencies of the 
case. Much will depend on the way its enactments are ad¬ 
ministered, and, from our knowledge of the ability 7 ' of a portion 
of the commission appointed under its provisions, we feel 
confidence in this being rightlv done. 
We give the Act in full, and refrain from further comment 
on its provisions at this time. 
An Act to prevent the further spread of the disease in cattle called 
Pleuro-pncv mania. 
VICTORIA. 
80/// April, 1861. 
Whereas it is expedient to check by legislative enactment 
the further spread of the disease in cattle called Pleuro¬ 
pneumonia. Be it therefore enactment by the Queen’s most 
Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the 
Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly of Victoria in 
this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the 
same, as follows : 
I. The Governor in Council is hereby authorised to appoint 
three persons to be commissioners to carry the provisions ol 
this Act into effect, and from time to time to remove any of 
the commissioners so appointed, and on the death, resignation, 
or removal of any commissioner, to appoint another person 
in his stead. 
