A SERIOUS POSITION

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 244, 9 July 1920, Page 9

A SERIOUS POSITION

STUD STOCK MARKET

IMPROVED SHIPPING FACILITIES WANTED Tho serious position in which New Zealand breeders of stud stock hVe been placed by the lack of shipping facilities was debated at somo length, at yest.evday's sitting of tho Council of Agriculturo, when tho following remit was moved by a Southland delegate:— That the Government be urged.to negotiate with shipowners to grant reasonable facilities for the shiftmen*: of stock to- South America. On behalf of the New Zealand Rqmney Marsh Sheep Breeders' Association Mr. A. Matthews (Fentherston) said thai since the 'boats trading from New Zea-\ land bwd been diverted by way of the Panama Canal English breeders had captured the whole of tha South. American market. New Zealand breeders would have no difficulty in finding purchaser* for their stud stock in South America, if the necessary shipping waa provided.' Unless they were placed in a position to tap this market, there would be a glut of 6tud sheep in the Dominion. At present it was practically hopeless to, get them out of New Zealand. In one case stud stock frcm New Zealand had been taken to England and thence transhipped to. Buenos Airae. • Sir Walter Buchanan, in supporting the remit, said that it would bo a serious thing for New Zealand breeders un-. less the South American market was, again brought within their reach. It was poor encouragement to breedera of fittt-choss stock if the Government could not see its way by arranging with shipowners .to provide the necessary outlet. Sir Walter Buchanan went on to point out that 120,000 bulls were supposed to be required for purebred stock in Brazil This figure might appear to be exaggerated, but owing to tho enormous number of cattle running in that country it worked out at only one bull for every 100 cows, The remit was unanimously adopted, and" the conference also agreed: "That the attention of the Government bo called to the high freight that importers of live stock from Great Britain have topay, making the introduction of fresh blood into this country quito prohibitive."

It was also agreed, on the recommendation of the breeders' association concerned, that it be a- recommendation to the Department of Agriculture that endeavours bo made by the Department to see that New • Zealand Romney sheep and New Zealand Hereford cattle are allowed to land in Great Britain and ba exhibited and used for breeding purposes.