MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD. POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 3,000 Copies Daily. TUESDAY, 15th MARCH, 1904. THE NEW ZEALAND SHEEPBREEDERS' ASSOCIATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7790, 15 March 1904, Page 4

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD. POHANGINA GAZETTE. Circulation, 3,000 Copies Daily. TUESDAY, 15th MARCH, 1904. THE NEW ZEALAND SHEEPBREEDERS' ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of members of the New Zea- ' land Sheep-breeders' Association was held at Christchurch on Friday evening, when the deadlock, which has arisen between the Councils of the North and South Islands was discussed. The points in dispute are as follows:—(I) The date for receiving the annual sheep returns ; (2) The method of the registration of single rams used in the stud flock, and (3) the registration of flocks in the Flock Book, the owners of which had omitted to register them at the proper time. Sir George Clifford, who presided, referred to the conference between the North and South Island representatives at whioh the above points were discussed without any satisfactory arrangements being entered into. With regard to the first " point of difference—the date for receiving the annual sheep returns—the speaker said " a majority of three had considered the Nortli Island date most generally suitable, but nothing had been done. An arrangement might have been arrived at to accept diSerent dates for the North and South Islands, and if a common flock book were published every five years, it might get over that point. The method of registration of sincle rams used in the , stud flock was another minor point which could have been got over. Then came the crucial question of the registration of flocks in theFloek Book, the owners of whichhad omitted to register them at the proper time. Those who had declined to register at the time when the Fiock Book was started were chiefly those ignorant of the conditions, and included many owners of purebred Merino flocks in the South Island, who had uot 1 seen the necessity of taking the step. It was now contended that for the general good, every purebred flock desiring to register should be allowed to do so* Sheep which had been sent to show yards, of very considerable merit, which might become of great value were at present debarred, and it was a mistake to debar these flocks. Iv the North Island there was a feeling that all flocks not registered should be debarred, however pure they might be. This, he thought, would create endless difficulty. They even went further in the north and said that no sheep should be shown at j shows which were not entered in:

the General Flock Book. He referred to a letter written by Mr Abraham, of ralmerston North, on tho subject, in which the latter protested against the attemptß of the North •Island members to close the Flock Book against flooks which ought to have been admitted. Mr Abraham contended that all flock-owners should have the opportunity of registering thsir flocks, and should be permitted to have their pure bred flocks entered in tha Flock Book under certain restrictions. The speaker quoted this letter to show there was a strong minority, if not a majority, in the North Island favourable to the admission I of all purebred sheep to the Flock Book. They of the South Wand had absolutely failed to come to any agreement with the North Island representatives, aud it was necessary that some action be taken, even if it meant altering the rules and severing from the North. Ho thought that if pressure were brought to bear the North Island would come to see matters in the light in which they were seen in the South, or, at any rate, they would effect a reasonable compromise. They had not the slightest wish to sever frcm tbe North, as a common Flock Book for New Zealand was more valuable as stamping the parity of sheep sent away. They had every desire to compromise as far as they could in tha matter." The meeting decided to appoint a committee to confer with the North Island Association with a view of arranging the matters at issue between them, and, failing such arrangement, to report as to what alteration of rules will be necessary for the formarion of a separate Pssociation for the South Island. The committee will consist of Sir George Clifford, Messrs R. Reid, C. W. Reid and P. Pattulls, with power to add to their number.