BRITISH SHEEP FOR N.Z.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 251, 22 August 1950, Page 3

BRITISH SHEEP FOR N.Z.

COST OF IMPORT CRITICISED (P.A.) DUNEDIN, Aug. 21. The charge for bringing sheep from Britain to New Zealand was criticised by Mr J. S. Hunt, of Wanaka, who has returned to Dunedin after an extensive tour of Britain. During the tour Mr Hunt investigated the possibility of buying stud- flock sheep and importing them to the Dominion, but the cost was between £SO and £55 a head to get them from the British farm to New Zealand.

“That is about five times as much as the sheep themselves cost,” he said. “I saw the costs tabulated in London, and I am not disagreeing with them, but I do think the New Zealand Government should do something to encourage farmers to import fresh stock from Britain.” Mr Hunt said that the South African Government paid all charges' for British sheep imported into the Union, and the Australian Government subsidised heavily such importations. In New Zealand the farmer had to pay all such charges. New Zealand’s wealth was tied up with its stock products, Mr Hunt said, and although the Dominion produced a high-quality animal it was not sufficient to sit back and bask in the reflected glory of an already established reputation. Trade would become harder, and New Zealand should be ready to sell Britain what it required. It was time the Government got into line with the policy of other Dominion authorities on this matter.