WEATHER BLAMED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 108, 8 May 1937, Page 12

WEATHER BLAMED.

SHEEP BELOW STANDARD. RUSSIAN REQUIREMENTS. {Bj Telegraph.—Press Association.) "■ WELLINGTON, Friday. Owing to the excessively wet spring and summer, the sheep in New Zealand do not at present comply in every respect with the standard required by the Soviet delegation which arrived in New Zealand a few weeks ago with the intention of purchasing about 3000 rams. The leader of the delegation, Mr. J. Mayoroff, will, however, report to his principals on the general standard of New Zealand flocks, which, in his opinion, will prove very suitable for Russian conditions.

The quality of New Zealand sheep had proved most acceptable to Russian farmers in the past, said Mr. Mayoroff, who has completed an extensive journey through the major sheep-producing districts of New Zealand, inspecting most of the important flocks. He paid he had found the type of sheep being raised, with the body low set and well covered, of excellent quality for the dual-pur-pose farming at present being conducted in Russia. Farming conditions in Russia were substantially the same as those in New Zealand. It was hoped that ultimately the Russian flocks would be of sufficient size to support the country's demands, both for wool and mutton, without recourse to other countries.

When it was realised, however, that the population of Russia grew at the rate of 3,000,000 every year, it was apparent that the task was a*iarge one, and the export trade was likely to be a very valuable one. Since the Australian restriction on the exportation of Merinos Russia had been forced to look elsewhere for supplies, and these had been found principally in New Zealand, England, the United States and Germany. The number required, however, was so huge that there was very little competition between these countries. According to present indications it appeared likely that New Zealand would take a forward position in supplying this demand.