SHEEP FOR RUSSIA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22688, 29 March 1937, Page 8

SHEEP FOR RUSSIA

The narrowest kind of trade protection and the most futile is that which would be imposed by those who say that the Russian Government should not have its choice of stud sheep in this or any other British country. Russian buyers are in New Zealand to secure rams of a strain which in their opinion may build up higher quality flocks in their vast Empire. Russia has failed with Merinos, a breed which might have been expected to flourish in rhe colder regions of the country. The failure, however, may not be due to anything but bad management and different pasturage. Now Dominion breeds of English origin are wanted. Obviously the Soviet authorities are still in the realm of experiment. But all that aside, it is ridiculous to suggest that by selling high-grade stock Xew Zealand is creating a future menace to her wool trade, unless the Soviet representatives are so remarkably armed financially that they can skim the cream of the market. However, the Russian authorities are ruled by ordinary trading principles and want value, to say nothing of the fact that the foundations of what, comparatively speaking, is a vast industry in this country could not be disturbed by heavy buying in one year. Another point which might he emphasised is that increased wool production in other lands will not necessarily clog the market. If Europe and the portion of Asia that is possessed by Russia settle down to industry that is not stimulated by the fear of war, the expansion in consumption will keep well ahead of the supply. And there is reason for cheer for pessimists in the present Russian ram buying, because it is self-evident proof that substitutes for wool will not serve in cold countries. The one thing for New Zealand, in face of the efforts of foreign countries to build up wool production, is to concentrate with greater energy in improving the flocks.