182 QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. {1 Jury, 1901, 
could not get a single beast there. I do not see why we should suffer for the 
benefit of New South Wales, and if that State wants a buffer area she should 
have it in her own territory. Knowledge increases, and since the quarantine 
lines have started we have learneda good deal about dipping. Wenow knowthat 
dipping is effective, and if the Government let stock, properly dipped, pass over 
the quarantine line Ido not think that anyone will suffer, and that the State 
generally will gain. 
Mr. R. C. Lernsripnge (Mitchell): With reference to the difficulty 
mentioned by Mr. McPherson of getting cattle to Lake’s Creek, I would liketo 
mention that some twelve or eighteen months ago a meeting of stockowners 
was held at Mitchell, in the Western district. We recommended that the tick 
line up to then should be altered. At present it runs through a numberof 
cattle stations that are infected, and there is absolutely nothing to prevent 
eattle going from one run to another. We recommended a line commencing on 
the Central Railway until it got to some rabbit fence near Barcaldine, 
and then to follow that rabbit fence to the South Australian border, 
We thought that it would be a much safer line than the present, as we 
knew ticks were south of the northern quarantine line. We sent this line 
down to the Central Board of Advice, and were told that nothing could be 
done with regard to it. Ido not think we shall get much satisfaction out of 
the New South Wales Government in this matter until the people of that — 
State move in it for their own interests. 
The Hon. D. H. Darrymere: Iam not desirous of taking up much time | 
myself, but I think it would be fair to point out that the tick lines, as they _ 
exist, have not been laid down or arranged for the benefit of New South Wales, — 
New South Wales as a purchaser, however, is in this position, and her people, 
as controllers of their own State, can say there are certain conditions which we 
lay down and which must be complied with, or otherwise we close our borders. — 
Mr. Bruce, of New South Wales, and Mr. Gordon have arranged certain 
boundaries which, if they were observed by Queensland, would be regarded as” 
a sufficient protection, and the New South Wales border would be opened; 
and it was for the benefit, not of New South Wales, but for the benefit of - 
Queensland cattle-owners, who considered it was desirable that they should 
have New South Wales for a market, that this was done. I merely state this 
to show there was no carelessness. But it is quite evident that to keep open 
the trade between New South Wales and a large portion of Queensland which 
was not affected, would be distinctly beneficial to all cattle-owners who resided 
in that portion. If, for instance, a third of the owners could have access to 
the New South Wales markets, it was the duty of whoever was responsible to _ 
endeavour to secure for that one-third of the people of the State the right to — 
travel their stock to where they could obtain a good price for them That was 
the object in view, and any agreement which was made by Mr. Gordon and 
Mr. Bruce was made to minimise the loss which was inevitable to the people | 
of Queensland. We all know it is an infliction to prevent stock travelling at 
all, but in order to prevent a larger evil it was considered advisable to make | 
quarantine lines. The object certainly has been to do as much good as 
possible. A gentleman now wishes, if the discussion has terminated, to submit 
a resolution which is of a formal nature. I shall accordingly permit him to 
do so. 
Mr. J. McPHerson (Rockhampton) then moved that the following be 
submitted to the Committee of Resolutions :— : 
“That stock should be allowed to cross the present quarantine line after 
taking proper precautions by dipping to prevent ticks being carried, and that 
if New South Wales wants an absolute buffer area they should establish the — 
same in their own territery.” 
‘The motion was agreed to. 
