“Wool Little Better Than Donkey’s Hair”

Manawatu Times, Volume LV, Issue 7170, 18 March 1930, Page 6

“Wool Little Better Than Donkey’s Hai r”

AYKROYD OR ROMNEYS. Per Press AwociatisaWELLINGTON, Last Night. Tho Department of Agriculture has issued the following statement.— A cable was published in New Zealond on February 26 in which it was stated that addressing tho Bradford Chamber of Commerce the president, Sir Frederick Aykroyd, described Romney sheep as producers of wool “little bettor than donkeys’ hair.” He is further reported to havo stated that Lcicesters were among the best sheep ever bred and that they were displacing Romneys in tho Dominion; that tho New Zealand Government was alarmed at the declining value of Romney wool and had sent a representative to inquire what .could be done in the matter. In view of the extraordinary nature of this statement attributed to a gentleman of the standing of Sir Frederick Aykroyd a communication was sent to the Commissioner asking him to make special and direct inquiries in tho matter and to cable tho result. A reply has now been received that tho report was inaccurate. In the first place, Sir Frederick Akyroyd has not been president of the Bradford Chamber of Commcrco since five years ago and some years havo elapsed sinco New Zealand wool was discussed at a meeting of that chamber. The statement published here reterred to a meeting of Yorkshire farmers and breeders of Leicester sheep at which Sir Frederick stated that at one time Leicester sheep formed the foundation of New Zealand’s flocks but. breeders here have since allowed Romneys to supersede Lcicesters. Ho further stated that Romneys run off to little more than donkey hair at the batch and that bad culling of Romneys had been brought to tho notice of the late Mr. Massey, then Prime Minister, who as a result had had the matter inquired into. . . Sir Frederick Ackroyd’s object in making this statement was to. encourage enterprise in breeders of Lcicesters. He fully recognises that there has been an improvement in New Zealand Romneys and for some time past, he has endeavoured to assist New Zealand farmers in correcting the faults Romney wool. aThis explanation puts a different complexion on Sir Frederick s statement to that which was embodied in the cable and it is proper that it be given the necessary publicity.