FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. 
583 
bear travelling. He also gave an account of the serious losses 
which had been incurred by himself and others, particularly in 
lambs and calves, young and breeding stock suffering more than 
feeding beasts. 
Mr. Forster asked whether the local authorities had made 
use of the powers which had been given them by the Privy 
Council. 
Mr. Ton was not certain on this point, but as Ireland had 
been kept clear of cattle plague by the strong restrive measures 
adopted by the Irish Government, he held that Ireland ought now r 
to be prevented from supplying us with foot-and-mouth disease by 
our insisting on the examination of stock before they leave 
Ireland. 
Mr. Forster said that this suggestion should be made to the 
Irish Government, as the Privy Council had no power in the 
matter, although they had suggested the appointment of an in¬ 
spector, and other measures which had been adopted by the Irish 
Government. 
Mr. J. Dent Dent, M.P., observed that the evidence laid before 
the Transit of Animals Committee, of which he had been a 
member, went to show that the condition of the vessels was the 
great cause of the propagation of infectious diseases. He pre¬ 
sumed, however, that the inspector might inspect these veasels. 
Mr. Forster replied that it rested with the local authority to 
prosecute in case of noncompliance with the regulations, but the 
central government might put the local authority on their 
defence in case of their failing to do so. 
The Earl of Fowls remarked that importations from Ireland 
were confined to three or four centres, from which infection was 
spread all over the kingdom. Therefore efficient inspection need 
not be very difficult to control. 
The Hon. W. Fgerton, M.F. , considered the existing regulations 
sufficient if properly carried out. 
Mr. Thompson, in reply to the suggestion made by Mr. Porster, 
that the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society should send in 
writing the particular recommendations that they wished to make, 
stated that they would probably defer taking that step until after 
the completion of an investigation which they had organised to 
take place during the summer and autumn. At present he hoped 
that the Government would insist upon the existing regulations 
being complied with. 
The deputation then withdrew, after thanking Mr, Porster for 
his courtesy. 
