NEW ZEALAND SHEEP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16664, 8 April 1916, Page 12

NEW ZEALAND SHEEP

DEMAND IN AMERICA.

That the near future will see a very large and valuable demand in America for New Zealand stud eheep is the confident opinion of Mr E. Clifton, who acted as New Zealand Commissioner at the recent PanamaPaoifio Exposition, and as Trade Commissioner for New Zealand for the Western Coast of America. He returned to the dominion on Sunday. Mr Clifton, who left New Zealand in January, 1914, has been engaged for the greater part of the time since the close of the Exposition in arranging for the return of the goods which, formed the New Zealand exhibit, a work that has been considerably hampered .by the lack of ships. The latter have been requisitioned for more important cargoes. Mr Clifton has taken the opportunity, since tho close of the Exposition f of visiting some of tho sheep country in America (says the Dominion). He has given several addresses to sheep breeders, one of tho most important of whioh was that to the members of the National Woolgrowers' Association at Salt Lake City, Utali. This was attended by upwards of 1500 pastoralists. All "the varied aspects of tho pastoral industry in New Zealand were placed before tho meeting by Mr Clifton, who gave a description of tho cliiof breeds favoured by sheepgrowers in this country. The. utmost interest was taken in the dominion's methods of shearing and classing of wool, and in the general " get upof the clips. Mr Clifton received numerous invitations to address other Meetings on the> saino subject, tout the timo at his disposal prevented him from doing so. Breeders exhibited the greatest interest in New Zealand sheep, and Mr Clifton states that had. it been possible to obtain transport of stock from here to America at that time, fully 1000 studi sheep would not havo fulfilled the demand on the part of the American growers, " When the ships aie available," said Mr Clifton, "I am convinced that New Zealand will be able to look forward to a very largo demand for her stud sheep. Tho exhibition of purebred New Zealand sheep at the Exposition brought about a very great demand for such stock. It had been expected that the dominion's sheep would create a good deal of attention, but the favourable comment that, was heard among prominent breeders in the States was entirely beyond all anticipations. A grand prize was awarded for New Zealand's exhibits of crossbred wool, and a largo number of other prizes for other types of wool." Mr Clifton said the 6heep industry in America was rapidly developing, and the general maintenance of live stock on the large farms was being fostered by the Department of Agriculture. Every enoouragemcnt was being given by tho State to the sheep farmer.