STUD STOCK

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 7, 8 July 1938, Page 3

STUD STOCK

.HEAVY IMPORT COSTS GOVERNMENT SYMPATHETIC The willingness of the Government to assist stud breeders in the importa- , tion of stud stock was indicated by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. L. Martin), when opening the conference of the Eoyal Agricul* tural Society today. At the annual -meeting of tfc.3 society yesterday, Sir William Perry N (Masterton) stressed the "necessity foe new blood in New Zealand's stock, pointing out that unless a ,high standard was maintained New Zealand'3 produce would suffer from overseas competition. On his motion, a resolution was carried asking the Government to subsidise the cost of approved stud stock from Great Britain, as was being done in Australia. The Minister of Agriculture said ht recognised that breeders were suffering serious handicaps in connection1 with the importation of stock, and ha was prepared to discuss with the society any suggestion by which relief could be given. Fourteen head of cattle were imported via Tasmania and seven via Canada during 1936 and j 1937, and assuming that the cost of importation via those two intermediate countries was identical, importers would have been saved £1009 if the importations had been made direct, and the period of quarantine in New Zealand extended to 80 days.- Direct importation anticipated a larger number1 of importations. "I don't think I should convey in any sense whatever that there is a possibility of the embargo being lifted," he added, "but I. would be prepared to discuss with you some approach by means of which the heavy charges incurred in the importation of stock might be lessened."