SHEEP FOR JAPAN

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19596, 7 June 1935, Page 7

SHEEP FOR JAPAN

CORRIEDALES PURCHASED. ] I DOMINION STOCK FAVOURED. GOST CONSIDERED PROHIBITIVE. For the second time in three years the Japanese Government has, in its • desire for the best quality available, j been impelled to disregard the dis- j abilities of price, freight and exchange, i and to oome to New Zealand for highgrade -Corrledale sheep to build up the small flocks that have already been established in Japan. This fact explains the visit to Dunedin recently of Mr T. Yamada (director of the State farm at Hokkiado, Japan) and Mr K. S. Minada, another representative of the Japanese Government. Mr Minada stated that he and his colleague had purchased 100 oneshear stud 'Corrledale ewes and four high-grade rams from the Bushey Park flock of the late Mr J. A. Johnstone. They had been greatly impressed by the quality of the New Zealand sheep and regretted very much that financial ■consideration made a larger purchase Impossible at the moment. Last , year they had bought 3000 head in Australia, but they would have preferred the New Zealand type if an agreement in 'the matter of price could be arrived at. New Zealand Sheep Preferred. Mr Minada said that Japan had been buying Corriedale sheep In Australia for 17 years, but this was only the second occasion on which her buyers had come to New Zealand. The difficulty was that the New Zealand Corriedale was so much more attractive that its price was a good deal higher—- | high enough, In fact, to he just too dear. This initial cost combined with heavy freight rates to Japan and an unfavourable exchange made imports from New Zealand very dear. There was no question, however, of the superiority of the New Zealand type. On this question of type Mr Yamada,

who may be called the expert, was very emphatic. “The average price for Australian 'Corriedales is lower," he said, "because the standard of quality Is lower. New Zealand pays far ■more attention to good breeding, and all the sheep we have seen have been much better brought out. We do not buy much stud stock in Australia, mostly flock sheep, which are not as good as the New Zealand sheep. We like very much to buy New Zealand sheep every year, but we cannot pay so high for them yet,” he concluded with a smile. “The type suits us very well, better than the Australian." No Room For Wool-Growing. A question as 'to Japan’s intentions in the matter of wool growing .pro-* voiced a smile on both faces, and it was Mr Minada who answered, "New Zealand need not worry about Japan becoming a wool-growing country.” , With an expressive wave of his hands,; he continued, “We have not the room for large sheep flocks and 70,000,000 of population in a 'Country which is not quite as big as New Zealand. You have more sheep on one station here than we have in the whole of Japan. ■I think that the total in Japan at the present time Is 30,000. They are nearly all Corriedales, hut we haye also bought some Ramboulllets from time to time from America. We will ' never be a wool-producing country, and I can truthfully say that we never want to be." In 'proof of this statement Mr Minada said that there was no room in Japan proper for sheep farming, or for any other form of live stock farming for that matter. Nor was it possible for wool growing to be developed to any extent in Manchukuo. It was not a sheep country. The winters were far too severe for the ordi- ' nary flne-woolled or cross-bred sheep. , The only type that could survive was the native sheep, which was useful for the production of skins and mutton, 'but no good for wool. Korea was much the same as Japan. Sheep farming could be carried on suocessI fully there but there was no room for

it. Mr Yamada explained that very little mutton was eaten in Japan yet, and most of the meat from Manchukuo went to the Chinese markets. The wool produced in Manchukuo was very coarse and hairy, and did not suit manufacturing requirements. It was useful, however, for low-grade carpets and rough textiles. “Manchulcuo will never be a danger to New Zealand or Australia,” he said. "The Mongols and the Manchus have never | tried to improve their wool, and never will as far as I can sec. The Japanese Government has done what it can, but all we have managed to do 13 to convince ourselves that it Is a hopeless job. Tne wool cannot be improved by crossing or breeding. A Relief Sideline. Asked for what special purpose sheep were now being Imported, Mr ■Minada said that they were required for a system of relief instituted by the Government for the benefit of the Japanese silk farmer, who had been very hard hit as a result of the slump in silk prices. “Our farmers have been suffering like your woolgrowers

from low prices.” lie said. “They cannot pay. their way, and the Government is trying to help them by giving each of them a few sheep. They cost nothing for feed, but they help farmers to keep (heir farms going. “You can imagine how little is to be got from a handful of sheep, often only four or five. Still it helps the silk farmer. He does not as a rule sell even the small clip of wool lie gels each year. He uses it for his own requirements, making homespun garments on his own spinning wheel.” As an instance of the type ol' material produced in this way, Mr Yamada displayed his own overcoat, homespun from merino wool. It was an excellent article, he said, but he cm- . phosised once again that it represented 1 rio competition with Australian' or New Zealand wool.