THE IMPORTATION OF SHEEP

Clutha Leader, Volume IV, Issue 183, 11 January 1878, Page 7

THE IMPORTATION OF SHEEP

(Daily Times.) A deputation, con sis ti no- of Messrs John M'Lean, 0. L. Sise, W. C. Smith, Roberts, and Wright, waited upon the Hon, James Maoandre.w on Saturday, < to urge that there should be no relaxation of the restrictions imposed upon the importation of sheep from abroad. The deputation presented tbe following memorial, signed by the principal stock and station agent?* of the city : — We, the undersigned, directly and indirectly interested in stock in tlie Colony, beg respectfully to ur^e tlie Government, in the strongest manner possible, uot to relax the laws iv force at present prohibiting the importation of sheep into the Colony from Europe and America. We venturo to point out to yon, that there exists a market in Australia, not only for stud sheep, hx\h for fat mutton, -which could be profitably exported to Sydney and Melbourne at certain seasons of the year ; and we fear that it is nlmost certain, if any exceptions are made, and any stock are allowed to be landed, the respective Governments of Victoria and >le\v South "Wales, will take advantage of such evasion of the l-r,v to contiinie in force the restrictions forbidding importation from New Zealand which now exist, but which are almost certain to be removed. The Hon. Mr Macandrew said that he supposed the memorial was the result of a report which had been, published respecting an interview he bad bad with Mr Moody respecting the importation of sheep from America. Mr Moody alleged that he had applied to rhe Government to know whether he could import stock from America, and had received a reply to the effect that there was nothing to prevent his so doing. If this were so, Mr Moody had a :<-ood ground of complaint, and he had said that- if Mr Moody could show that he was fairly en -.if led to compensation for the losses he had sustained by the operation of the law, he would use his influence to have him (Mr Moody) reimbursed. Mr Moody had represented that he had petitioned tbe House of Representafives on the subject last session, and that the Petitions Committee had reported in favour of his application to have the prohibition rescinded. This he (Mr Macandrew) was informed by telegraph, was not the case, and he thought it would be better for the country to reimburse him what he was out of pocket, if his claim was considered good, than to relax the restrictions upon the importation of sheep. He believed there had been two proclamations, and that, from the first did not refer to America, but that the second applied the restrictions fo the importation of sheep from America. Mr Sise said that he knew the regulations applied to the importation of sheep from America, as he had thought of getting some sheep from America, and in consequence of the regulations countermanded the order in April last. The Hon. Mr Macandrew : My reply to you is, that so far as I am aware, there is no intention on the part of the Government to relax or interfere with the prohibition, and T think tn do so would be very inexpedient, for the reasons yon-- have mentioned here, and in view of the fact that the Australian Colonies have been gradually giving' wav, and are about to o-ive way.altogether in favour of excluding New Zealand stock from their restrictions regarding the importation of stock, as they see we are acting so strictly in' the I matter. I suppose the fact of our being so strict has taken the ground from under their feet. I think that in the public interests it would be suicidal to relax the prohibitions at present. Mr Sise said that the present case might, be a hardship to Mr. Moody,; but it Would be a much greater hardship to breeders generally if- they were prohibited from sending stock to Melbourne through any mishap of this kind. The Hon. Mr Macandrew : This has no doubt come up in . consequence of what, appeared in the paper the other day of the interview between Mr Mood v. and: myself, andj in which I was reported to have said I would do what. l could, in the-matter.. My meaning was, that I would do what I could to reimburse him any loss be mayjbave | sustained, at the.hands of the i ment, and in respect of which the Government might fairly be held liable.