SOUTHDOWN SOCIETY

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 223, 21 June 1928, Page 12

SOUTHDOWN SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING RECOGNITION IN AMERICA Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, June 20. Mr. 11. B. Stuckey,' president of th» annual meeting of the New Zealand Southdown Society at the Manawatu Whiter Show in Palmerston North this morning, there being a fairly good attendance of breeders. The annual report stated, inter alia, that the year had been a successful one, and that the prospects ahead of the breed were encouraging. Sixty-six new flocks had been registered during the year, and 31 more' were to hand, these figures being a record. Stress was laid on the advisability of appointing young men as judges at shows, and gratification was expressed at the fact that breed societies now had direct representation on the council of the Royal Agricultural Society. It .was hoped that the change in the Royal Show from spring to autumn .vould be the means of putting the society on a much better footing. Rcfer(■nre was made to the desirability of seeing that no inferior sheep were exported from New Zealand, as. if this were permitted. it would possibly keep prospective buyers from coming to this country to fulfil their requirements.. Dealing with foot-and-mouth disease, the report stated that too much'care could not be exercised to see that it was not introduced into New Zealand. The Agricultural Department was fully alive to the seriousness of the position, and could be depended upon to do everything possible to keep it out. In a brief reference to his recent visit to England, the president said that New Zealand mutton and lamb was of excellent quality, and was landed, in Loudon in very good order. It reflected credit on the producers and those who handled it on its way to the English market. Mr. Stuckey also stressed the need for taking pains in breeding the verybest rams possible because it was the rams that, were very largely responsible for the quality of New Zealand lamb' ou the English market.'

Speaking to the report, Mr. Stuckey said that they would have to keep on doing (heir best in producing high .quality sheep for the Home market. At present tiie quality was excellent, but members should keep in mind the fact that both South Africa and South America were producing in,big quantities and were seeking the premier position held by New Zealand.

Mr. L. J. Wild (Feilding Agricultural College) mentioned that at present New Zealand Southdowns were not recognised in America, and if this recognition were to be brought ab'out action would have to be taken at both ends. There would certainly be an excellent market for New Zealand sheep in America if only they could be recognised there.

Mr. J. Knight < Feilding) stated that the council should try to have their sheep recognised by the English Flock Book, and then by the Californian Association, and it was decided that the council.take the matter up. The following resolution, moved by Mr. Wild, was carried: “That the secretary be instructed to write to the American Southdqw. Association covering a brief history ,if the breed in New Zealand, and dispatching also recent flock books.” The mover asked that the American Association be informed that the New Zealand Southdown Society was a member of the International Sheep Breeders’ Association, and that a copy of the New Zealand body’s rules be sent to America in order to make it plain that all steps were taken in the Dominion to keep the breed pure. The election of officers resulted as follows :—President, Mr. J. Knight (Feilding) ; vice-presidents, Messrs. J. Dean (South Island) and C. E. Vile (North Island) : committee, Messrs. H. J. Andrew, W. J. Girablett. J. Knight, J, Stevenson, and C. E. Vile.