N.Z. SHEEP BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 13999, 23 March 1911, Page 9

N.Z. SHEEP BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. DISCUSSION OX ARTIFICIAL COLOURING. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Sheepbieedors' Association was held last evening, Mr C. W. Reid being in the chair. There was an attendance o!( about lifty members. The Chairman apologised for the ah-M-nee of ,Sir Geo. Clifford, the President explaining that his duties as a member of the Racing Commission prevented him from being present. In submitting the annual report and balance-sheet for the year ending 31st December, 1!)10, the Council congratulated the members on the continued success and progress of the Association. Tho balance-sheet showed a profit of £107 Is Id on the year's transactions. This had been carried forward to capital account. in the capital account the assets exceeded the liabilities by £801 7s lid. In accordance with the instruction of last annual meeting, all new flocks admitted had undergone inspection previous to registration. The Council had also decided that an opportunity should bo given to breeders about to disperse their flocks, to apply to the Council to have an inspector appointed to inspect tho flock previous to dispersal, and so obviate tho individual inspection of small lots after the sale. This had been availed of in several cases by breeders who had dispersed their flocks during the year. In volume 6, which was published during tlie year, there were 503 pure-bred flocks. Fifty-eight flocks had been admitted during the year, and thirty-one flocks dispersed or Avithdrawn.

The balance-sheet for the revenue account showed: —Liabilities £355 5s Od, assets £i 62 9.s lOd, balance to capital account £107 Js 4d.

The Chairman moved the adoption of tho report and balance-sheet. In doinji; so, he said that the Council had been very particular about the inspection ot all new flocks, being anxious tjiat the flocks should bo Avortby of thc breeds they represented. J'lr UoboTt Reid seconded tho motion.

Mr N. M. Orbell said that in regard to the inspection of sheep, he would move the following motion: —"That it be a recommendation to the Council that tvhen any new flocks are inspected for dispersal an inspector outside tho district bo appointed. Mr G. D. Groemvood seconded the motion, Avhich ivas carried. Tho report and balance-sheet were adopted unanimously. Mr H. D. Vavasour (Blenheim) moved :—"That no member of tho Association shall exhibit sheep at any show in the South Island that aro coloured, and all sheep dipped Avithin four months of their being exhibited shall be deemed to be artificially coloured. This shall apply to DoAvn breeds only." In speaking to the motion, Mr Vavasour said that tho Association should fall into line with tho vieivs expressed at the annual meeting of tho A. and P. Association. Last year that Association had issued a general instruction that if judges awarded a prize it ivas to be their opinion that the sheep AA-ere not artificially coloured. If a sheep Avas not worthy of being shown in its natural colour it ivas not worthy of being shoAvn at all. Ho considered that colouring ivas tantamount to dishonesty, and it ivas the duty of the iSheepbrceders' .Association to help tho A. and P. Association to stop the practice altogether. Mr Robert lteid seconded the motion pro forma. Mr Donald Grant asked Avhat ay.is to be done in regard to autumn shows. It was necessary to dip the sheep.

Mr T. S. Little contended that tho question Avas outside the sphere of the Association altogether, and Avas a matter entirely concerning the A. and P. Association. An army of inspectons Avould be needed, and endless bother Avould be caused. The Chairman said that he would like to see the motion .amended in the direction of rejecting from the Flcick Book any member of the Association permanently disqualified by any A. and P. Association. Mr 11. B. Luseombe said it Avould be only fair to obtain the opinion of Down breeders in the matter. Mr H. V. Fulton pointed out that according to the Stock Act sheep must be dipped in certain months of the year, and if the proposal Avere carried how Avere breeders to comply Avith the Act?

Mr A. Mnrdock, of Southland, said that sheep might bo received that Aver© all different colours, and how Avero they to tell Avhether they Avere artifically colourod or not? Ho was opposed to the motion in any shape or form. Mr J. Sowden said that the colour of the soil Avould make a big difference to the colour of the sheep. In reply to a cjuestion by Mr Orbell, Mr Vavasour said that he had seen glaring instances of colouring, not only in tho Old Country, but at tho Christchurch Show.

The Chairman then put the motion, •which was lost on the voices.

A A-ote of thanks to the chair concluded tho meeting.