EXPORT OF STUD MERINOS

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 154, 27 March 1937, Page 13

EXPORT OF STUD MERINOS

An Australian Discussion In a comment iii these columns recently upon the arrival of the Russian sheep-purchasing commission, reference was made to the possibility of trouble arising should New Zealand breeders sell merino stud sheep for export. The following extract from a report of the annual meeting of the New South Wales Graziers’ Association, will show how Australian sheepmen view the matter:—

The annual conference of the Graziers’ Association of New South Wales, carried by 65 votes to 17 a motion that the maintenance of the present embargo on the export of merino sheep should be supported. Mr. Sims said that t'he embargo had been instituted to safeguard Australia’s future against cut-throat competition in which the world was engaged. Mr. O. J. McCutcheon (council), opposing the motion, said, that the decision to impose the embargo had been reached hastily.

Mr. J. 11. Doyle (council) said that the embargo was unnecessary. Australia would always be the premier merino producing country. There should be an inquiry into the economic effects of the embargo.

Mr. J. M. Brennan (Warren) said that the embargo protected Australia against the cheap labour of South Africa.

Mr. H. E. C. Fuller (council, Narrabri), said that in a few more years, with scientific breeding of Merinos and warfare on pests South Africa would “wipe Australia off the face of the earth” if the embargo was removed. “With our high wages we would not have a chance,” he said. The conference agreed that the export of stud merino sheep to New Zealand under permit should be investigated. Mr. F. J. Graham (council, Gundagal) said that New Zealand would retaliate against any embargo.

“If New Zealand was to be used as a stepping-stone by South Africa to get merino rams, I would be bitterly opposed to the export of merinos from Australia to New Zealand,” said Mr. J. M. Brennan. “There lies the danger to our wool-producing interests.”