SHEEP-BREEDERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 135, 20 March 1930, Page 6

SHEEP-BREEDERS.

ASSOCIATION AFFAIRS.

QUESTION OF THE FLOCK BOOK

(Special to the “Guardian.”) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Sheepbreeders’ Association was Held last evening. Mr John Deans (vice-chairman) was in the chair, and about 15 members attended. The council reported that Volume 2o of the “Flock Book” had been published, containing flocks of the following breeds: Lincoln 6, English Leicester 89, Border Leicester 143, Romney Marsh 30, Southdown 35, Shropshire 46, Merino 46, Ryeland 2, Suffolk 5, Corriedale 29, Half bred 20; total 461. Fifty-seven new flocks had been included, and 5'3 withdrawn. Thirty silver shields were offered for the best four-tooth ram and two-tooth ewe in the various breeds, to be the property of breeders whose flocks are registered in the “Flock Book.” Mr R.- J. Low moved that the council should be instructed to prepare a scheme, with necessary alterations to the constitution, so that the various breeders should control their particular section of the “Flock Book,” the scheme and the alteration in the rules to be submitted to a meeting of members. He said that the Association should keep the flocks now >on its book. It was much better to have control of sections by bodies of men interested in particular breeds. The book should be of much more value than at present. Mr D. Ross seconded the motion pro forma. ... ~ The chairman said that it would have been better to bring up the question before some members had left the Association.' There were about 400 members, and the small attendance did not show much dissatisfaction. If there was dissatisfaction there would be a large attendance. Mr W. J. Jenkins said that the way in which the “Flock Book” was compiled was a credit to the Association, but Mr Low’s suggestion was well worth considering. Mr W. H. Orbell said it would liebetter to have one national book for New Zealand. Overseas it would carry more weight than several smaller books. . Mr Low said that a committee should be appointed by each section of breeders, a council to control the book to consist of the chairmen of tlite com- 1 mittees.

All* Ross moved, and Air Coop seconded an amendment that the matter should be left in the hands of the executive to formulate a scheme and present it to the council. The amendment was carried.

The following officers were elected: Chairman, Sir George Clifford; vicechairman, Ml* John Deans; auditor, All* A. McKellar; member of council, Air H. J. Andrew. Air L. R. C. Macfarlane said there should be more propaganda work, like the cattle people had done. There should be quiet advertising to encourage people to use a better class of rams. It was largely a matter of expense. The newspapers might take the matter up. During the past 20 years stud sheep in New Zealand had decreased by half, although the total number of sheep had increased by several millions. There must be a very nondescript lot of rams used. Mr J. E. P. Cameron said the trouble was in respect of the ewes. There were a rough lot of ewes at Addington. People were sending culls fnom the North Island to Canterbury. The following motions were earned: “That breeders may register a prefix at a charge of 10s.” “That export certificates should be charged for at 3d per head, with a minimum of 2s 6d for each breeder’s consignment.” “That it should be compulsory that all stud rams he registered singly by the breeder before being transferred.