NEWS AND NOTES.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14980, 29 May 1914, Page 10

NEWS AND NOTES.

EXPORT OF EWE LAMBS.

NEW ZEALAXDER'S WARNING

(kkom our owv correspondent.)

SYD: "A t , May 23. The export of ewe lambs by Victorian producers was the subject of a lending article in the "Melbourne Ago :, tho other day, and some subsequent comments by Mr H. J. Manson, tho New Zealand Trade Commissioner. "Tfie average producer does not seem to realise the seriousness of tho situation," Mr Manson says. ''Tho foolhardiness of the practice should be enforced upon tho farmer by legislation, or by gome other emphatic means, otherwise tho striking decline as shown in the number of sheep annually taking place must continue, to the detriment of tho Stato. As a contrast to the figures that havo been outlined, I may bo permitted to recite Now Zealand's experience. Some ten years ago an agitation took place in the Dominion for legislation on the lines suggested by the "Age." and I welj remember tho occasion when the loto Richard John Seddon, then Prime Minister, made an announcement on tho subject. He was addressing a gathering of pastoraiists at Palmerston X«rth, and 1 personally banded him a note containing the words ''What about the export of ewe lambs?" Ho took the cue. and elaborated the point, at the same time promising legislation as a remedy lor tho evil, and, although no actual measure was brought into existence, his -utterances"were made so much of that they had tho effect of j speedily diminishing .the precarious practice. The result has been that instead of a decrease in our flocks an increase from that date has gradually taken place. Tho number of sheep in Now-Zealand in 1903 was 18,934,553, as against 23,750,153 in 1912, thus show-, ing an increase of 4,795,600. I do not pretend to say that the check thus set ou the export, of ewe lambs was entirely responsible for the increase, but the figures arc in parked ■ contrnst to what is happening in Victoria. Whcro closer settlement takes place there is a tendency on tho part of the former to sell his ewe lambs for the significant fact tliat tho ewe lamb matures earlier and is generally in better condition than the wether. Now that clo.so settlement is growing apace, tho clanger is likely to be .aggravated unless some .steps are taken to obviate it. It is to be hoped that the warning note will arrest the attention of those engaged in this important industry."