New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-04-04
TIE CANADIiN CATTLE TRADE.

Canada Is likely soon 10 have. or 10 think she
has. another grievance against the Mother coun-
try Her Minister Of Agriculture sails from
England for home to-day without accomplishing
the purpose for which he went across the
That purpose was to secure from the British
Government some mobilization In Canadas
favor Of the pending amendment 10 the Diseases
OF Animals act Of 1891 Under that act the
British Board Of Agriculture j. empowered to
have slaughtered ~ tho port OF landing all live
cattle brought 10 the United Kingdom from any
country where conta gious animal diseases are
believed 10 exist. The amendment will make
such slaughter compulsory in all cases with the
exception Of foreign animals intended for
exhibition or other exceptional purposes" II
Of live stock from any country. Canadians are
earnestly DESTROYS ~ having an exception made
in favor Of cattle from the Dominion. But their
Minister Of Agriculture has been unable to per
suadc the British Government OF the propricty
Of such an exception. and the amendment will
he adopted as II stands.
There can be little doubt that such legislation
will work at least Il temporary hardship 10 Can
ada. That country has had large and profit
able export trade in live stock to the United
the adoption Of this bill But what British legis
latOrs have regard 10 Is not much the harm
It will do to Canada the good it will do TO
Great Britain. That II will do much good seems
pretty certain. Pleuro-pneumonia. foot and
mouth disease and other cpizootic maladlcs have
greatly scourgcd the nocks and herds Of the
Kingdom. In 1899. the year before the present
| temporary and discretionary measure was adopt
% IN
ease, 59l diseased cattle were discovered. and
| $3.50 others which had come into contact with
Them had to be destroyed. Twenty counties
were affected by pleuropncumonIa In 1898.
| the year after the law went into force, only one
| county was affected, only outbreak occurred.
only one diseased animal was found, and only
| AZ that had come into contact with II had to be
killed. Practically animal diseases had been
| abolished. No wonder agricultural Britain Ii n
unit for making that law permanent. absolute
and universal in it's application
| The Canadian argument is that the present
| law Is sufficient, since II gives the Government
power to exclude live cattle at It's discretion
| from any country where diseases are believed 10
exist; and that as diseases do not exist In Can
| ada and have not for several years. Canadian
| cattle ought not to be excluded The British
| Government replies that such discretion imposes
| too great responsibility for any Government
to exercise, and that the only safe and reason
able course Is tc make the law mandatory in all
| cases. AS to the existence OF animal diseases
| in Canada difference Of opinion exists. aud
there seems to be no hope OF agreement. espc-
clally as the British Government declines TO In
vestgate the matter. Perhaps that Is the point
upon which Canadians will feel most sore
namely. that they should practically be con
demned unhclrd. and that their cattle should
be excluded without an attempt being made to
determine whether they are diseased or not
Yet that Is the attitude the British Government