Deterioration Of Rented Sheep Runs

Northern Advocate, 4 December 1947, Page 2

Deterioration Of Rented Sheep Runs

WELLINGTON, Thu. (P.A.).—Ways of combating the deterioration ot rented sheep runs were suggested by Mr M. C. McCabe, supervising valuer of the State Advances Corporation, when he gave evidence before the Royal Commission c*n Sheep Farming. An attempt should be made, he submitted, to formulate a scheme whereby runs , could be dealt with from a national angle and conserved as far as possible for future generations. Such a scheme ■ should incorporate the amalgamation of uneconomic runs and resettlement on them on a basis of sound balance and numbers of sheep. CONTROL OF PESTS It should also include the insertion in leases of covenants prohibiting all burning on land, providing for the control of rabbits and other pests, and controlling the number and nature of sheep carried annually. Leases, said Mr McCabe, should be foi long periods—for example, 35 years, with the option of renewal and rents should be assessed on the normal carrying capacity. If a reduction in the latter were ordered for any one year it should be met by a' proportionate reduction in rent. * * The scheme should in addition provide for strict control of transfers or new holdings by the land board, with the main object of ensuring that only men with high-country experience were allowed to take over such country.