LOSS OF SHEEP.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1920, Page 5

LOSS OF SHEEP.

DECLINE OF THE FLOCKS. (By Wire —Parliamentary Reporter.) Wellington, Last Night. When the annual sheep returns were presented to the House of Representatives to-day, the Minister for Agriculture (Hon. W. Nosworthy), drew th» attention of members to the fact that the number of sheep in New Zealand on April 30 last was about 1,900;000. less than on the corresponding date of 1919. He hoped that fanners would retain as many as possible of their ewe lambs fit for breeding in order that the flocks might be increased. The decline in the flocks was a serious, thing for the Dominion. Mr. 6. Forbes (Hurunui) asked if the Minister intended to make the necessary amendments in the Stock Act during the present session. Amendments relating to earmarks and brands were required. He thought that the decline in the flocks was due largely to the development of dairying and to increased cropping. Mr. Massey mentioned that there had been heavy losses in the snow storms of the preceding winter. Mr. Forbes thought that some districts had carried too much 'stock. Mr. Nosworthy stated that amendments of the law regarding brands and earmarks were under consideration, and .it was possible that something would be done this session. He would do his best to hasten the matter. The sheep returns show that on April 30 last the, number of sheep in the South Island was Mi,477,756, and in the North Island 13,166,750. These figures show a reduction of 868,854 for the South Island, and 1,045,194 for the North Island, as compared with April 30, 1919. The total decrease for the Dominion was 1,914,048. The number of stud sheep entered in the flock book was 287,001, the number <jf sheep of distinction breed was 8,042,472, and the number of. crossbred and other sheep was 17,585,033.