FLOCKS OF THE DOMINION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18049, 24 September 1920, Page 4

FLOCKS OF THE DOMINION

ANNUAL SHEEP RETURNS.

SUBSTANTIAL DECREASE.

A SERIOUS MATTER.

(Fbom Oub Own Coerespondent.) rp, , ELLINGTON , September 23 Tho steep returns show that on April'® last t-ic number of sheep in th o South Island was 10,747,756, and in the North Island 10,166,750. These figures show i of 863,854- for tho South SLid and 1,045,194 for tho North Island, as oom- £££ r i 4f d - 30 -' 1919 " Tho total <kcreaso lor tho clominKm was 1,914 CHS Tho number of stud sheep entered in' the flock book was 287,00 L 'lie number of sheep ot rttstincfcrvo breeds was 6.042 472- (Jio ir£SSos?° cn>ssbred oUlc r sheep was Whan the armiml sheep returns wre preM— House ° f Representatives today tho Minister of. Agriculturo (Hon W Worthy) <feevr the action of man here to tho fact that tho number of sheen in Aprli L 30 about 1,9f10,(ft, fcs t!ban, on the corresponding date of 1919. He hoped that farmers would retain as many as possible of their evvo lambs fit for breeding, in order that tho flocks might be The decline in tho no as was a serious thing for the dominion. V ; F « rfccs (Hurunui) asked if tho Minister intended to make tho necessary amendments in the Stock Act during the present session. Amendments relating to oarnrcrks and brands wero required Ho thought that the decline in flocks wns duo largely to tho development of dairymcr and to .increased, cropping. Mr Mousey mentioned that thero sxid been heavy losses in tho snow storms of the nrp cccitng winter. 1 Mr Forbes thought that some districts nad earned' too nvnoli stock. Mr N asworthy stated that, amendments of the law regarding brands and ear-marks were ur.«er consideration. and it was possible that something -would be don« this session. 110 would do his best to hasten the matter. Mr Nosworbhy subsequently informed your carrespocdent t:hat there had been a yory poor Limbing in tho north, as well „s m the South Wand. The of labour was a factor that was having its effort All this was likely to interfere with New' Zoalaiuls production, and wtjs rather a serious matter, and one that should not be lo=t sight of.