AUSTRALIAN STUD SHEEP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20236, 22 April 1929, Page 9

AUSTRALIAN STUD SHEEP.

BAN ON EXPORT OPPOSED.

GRAZIERS VOTE 5? TO 42.

Delegates attending tie conference of the Graziers' Association of New South Wales recently rejected bv 51 to 42 votes a resolution asking the Federal Government to prohibit the export of stnd sheep from Australia.

Mr. T. A. Field, Stock-owners' Defence Association, said that the vigour of the South African competition in Merino wool constituted a menace to Australia There were now 40,000.000 Merino sheep in South Africa, producing wool worth about £3.000,000 annually. Within the last two years the natural increase in sheep in South Africa was about 12.000.000 and she was producing wool equal to anything in Australia. They shonld ask the Commonwealth Government to prohibit the export of Merino breeding sheep —not stud sheep. The prohibition would not interfere with trade in other channels. Mr. G. Warby (Queensland), who recently visited South Africa, said that the wool produced there compared favourably with Australian wooL It was necessary if the South African Socks were to be maintained that they should have an infusion of Australian blood, so the future c-f that country's wool industry depended awn Australia. During his visit to the Union he inspected a flock of 5000 wethers, which would ait at least 121b. of bright, clean wool This Sock was being tended by a whits man and his wife and family, and he was paid 50s a month, and had to "find" himself. The Australian market ior wool, he considered, was down 3d to-day because of South African production. The country had done in ten years what it had taken Australia 50 vears to do with Merinos, Mr. F. B. "S. Falkiucr (Sheepbreeders* Association) said that as a result of a visit to South Africa he was convinced that the sheep industry there was not so successful as had been represented. The pastoral country ha saw there was the worst he had ever seen, except, perhaps, that in the far-western district of New South Wales. If South Africa could not get sheep m Australia she would obtain them from other countries. If thev wanted to prevent sheep being exported to South Africa they should ou--bid the oversea buyers. Sir. E. T. Body (Sheepbreeders' Association) said that the proposed prohibition would only encourage America and other countries which grew fine wool to export, stud sheep to South Afnca. The Merino did not govern the wool position, and it would be unwise to shut the door to other countries. Such action would only punish the industry in Australia. Colonel EL EL Martin said it was absurd to talk of restricting trade "Kiihin the Empire.

NEW ZEALAND EGGS.

EXPORTS TO BE BRANDED

are reported to be scarce on the Wellington market, and 2s 9d per dozen wholesale was quoted by one firm on Monday. Supplies are reported uo De short., "and the high price immediately curtained the demand. The Internal Affairs Department reports that as at March 31 there were in store 70,968 dozen eggs in shell, 726.7871b. egg_pulp, 10601b. frozen whites, and 1501b. Gf yolks. The greater quantity of eggs in shell, 58.474 desen. were held in the South island. After next week it will be unlawful for anyone to import into the United Kingdom hen eC—' or dock esrgs in the shell, to sell or "otherwise dispose of them unless thev bear an indication of their place cf origin conspicuously and durably marked in English upon the shell New Zealand eggs for England will have to bear the brand, "Empire" or "New Zealand," stamped on the shelL

PROSPECTS OF BEEF TRADE.

UNITED STATES AND ARGENTINA

The prospects of the beef trade was <one of the subjects dealt with by cir George Lawson Johnston, the chairman of BovriL Limited, at the r/nual meeting of the company in London. At the nrevious meeting he had predicted that scarcity and high price of beef would force Argentine chilled meat into the United States in 1929. Since then, he pointed out at the latest meeting, America had decided not to have Argentine chilled meat vet.

Mr. 'Hoover, the President of the Unitod States, had stated"We shall be heavy buyers of Argentine agricultural and cattle products,- as regards meat, probably within some three years, and cereals within ten years. In the meantime, it ts possible that both countries (United States and Argentina) can collaborate in the study of these matters, in order that they may reciprocally consider the respective aspirations of the two countries, and study the question of reciprocally satisfactory solutions." This statement meant. Sir George Johnston pointed out. the postponing of the impon to, possibly. 1931, which is just about the time it takes to rear cattle for future requirements of beef. The present prices for chillers cattle in Argentina tempt the pastoralist to dispose of his land for agriculture, but the promise, even though three years deferred, may keep many in the cattle business who would otherwise sell out of it.