EXPORT OF FLOCK RAMS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3854, 24 January 1928, Page 19

EXPORT OF FLOCK RAMS.

MR M‘NAUGHT’S ALLEGATIONS.

RESENTED BY SOUTHERN BREESXIRS.

INVERCARGILL, January 20. A well-known Southland sheep-breeder expressed to-day strong resentment at the remarks, attributed to Air M’Naught before the Tariff Board in Sydney, that the export trade between New Zealand and Australia in flan!!' rams was not genuine trade, and that only scrubs were being shipped to tile Commonwealth. He instanced many cases of Southland breeders who have made a name for themselves at Sydney and Alelbourne shows. One breeder here had had letter after letter extolling the ‘-<cellence of the sheep he sent over. APNaught’s remarks, he said, are k.rgely contrary to fact, and are wholly unjustifiable. He admits, however, that a few uif-rior sheep have at times been exported, ami urges all breeders for the sake of the good name of New Zealand to send only typical well-bred sheep

A cablegram from Sydney. dated January 13, stated that the Tariff Board has concluded its hearing of the request from the Federal Council of Breeders of British Sheep for an increased duty on sheep of certain varieties. Giving evidence ,’pport of the application, Air David ’.-‘Naught said there was a goon --tide between New Zealand and Australia of what were known as flock rams, but unfortunately it was not a genuine trade. When a New Zealand district had completed ita.

season, and had rams left over, it could not sell those rams in another New Zealand district, because no other district would have them at any price. The result was that the dealers co ild buy them at their own price, and ship them to Australia. Those rams woi<d never fill their mission as rams. To begin with, they were scrubs, and would not beget fat lambs. This was not the only trouble, because their progeny were good for nothing. They were inferior, and had not the power to fatten themselves. They were therefore not sent to market, but left here. The result was that they were bred from again, and so deterioration went on. Replying to questions, witness said that New Zealand looked upon Australia as its dumping ground. Furthermore, there was a movemci.. on foot over there to prevent stud cheep of the better class coming to Australia.