THE ROMNEY FLOCKS.

Waipa Post, Volume IV, Issue 156, 22 October 1912, Page 4

THE ROMNEY FLOCKS.

SHOULD EXPORTS BE REGULATED.

Referring to the number of stud Romney Marsh sheep in New Zealand, as disclosed by the annual sheep returns, the Farmers' Union Advocate has the followidg to say : A deputation waited on the Premier re freights to South America, and asked that vessels should be induced to call. at Punta Arenas. It was pointed out as a reason that there were far more rams bred in the Dominion than there was a demand for, and the deputation pleaded that some fresh market should be opened up. This is very true. Whenever a bi;eed becomes popular, a great many pastoralists start a stud flock of their own. Many do so who have not that innate skill necessary to breed good sheep. Thus many inferior animals come into the market. This finds its own remedy because the sheep do not realise remunerative prices There is a danger of such animals being exported/and it is a question whether there should not be some control over the exportation of stud animals. A few indifferent shipments might strangle a most, promising market right at the outset. We are averse to restrictions on trade in any form, but we think perhaps the Romney Flock Book authorities might take a hand in this, and insist that before sheep are exported or received an export certificate they should be subject to inspection, and if not satisfactory,, power should ' be given to refuse to allow export-

ation. The latest formed Flock Book—that of the Lincoln sheepbreeders —did take note of this point, but did not go far enough in connection'with an export certificate. The Romney Association goes a little farther, and says that stud rams must be inspected on behalf of the association and bear the association's tattoo mark, viz., "N.Z.R.M." This will no doubt be enforced, but there is no power given to refuse to allow exportation. If much trade is to spring up with South America this point will have.to be dealt with effectively.