THE ROMNEY FLOCKS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1572, 16 October 1912, Page 10

THE ROMNEY FLOCKS.

.SHOULD EXPOItTS DE IiEGULATEDf Referring to tho number of etxidl ]{om--11 cy -Marsh sheep m Zealand, «s diseased by the annual sheep returns the "Farmers' Union Advocate" lias the following to say A deputation waited 011 the Premier re to Smith America, and asked that vessels should be induced to call at I'unta Arenas. It was pointed out a reason that thero were far more rams bred in the Dominion than there was a demand for, and the deputation pleaded that some fresii market should Lv opened un. This is very true. Whenever a breed Ijccoines popular, a great lmiiiy pnstoralists start a stud Hock of their own. Many <ln to who have not that innate skill necessary to breed good sheep. Thus many inferior animals coiuo 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 oiaimals. A few indifferent .shipments might strangle n most promising market right at the outset.

We are averse to restrictions on trade in any form, Imt we think perhaps 'the Komney Flock Book authorities might take a hand in this, and insist that before sheep are exported or received on export certificate .they should be subject to inspection, and if not satisfactory, power snould be given to refuse;to allow exportation. The latest formed Hack Pouk— that oE tho Lincoln sheepbrecders—did tuko note of this point, but did not go far enough'in conncction with an export certificate. Tho liomncy Association goes a little farther, and says that stud rams must l;c inspected on behalf of the as-

sociatifMi ami fciir tbe association's tattoo mark, viz., "IYZ.Ii.M." This will no iloiiiyt be enforced, ljut there is no' power .given .to reftisa to allow exportafion. if much trade- is to spriny up with South .America this point will have'to he dealt with effectively.