N.Z. SHEEP PRAISED

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 95, 8 May 1937, Page 6

N.Z. SHEEP PRAISED

-Press Association.;

i • Investigation by Russian Expert PURCHASES FOR SOVIET

(By Telegraph-

- WELLINGTON, Last Nigbt. The quality of New Zealand sheep bas proved most acceptable to' Enssian farmers in.the past, according to MrJ. Mayoroff, leader of "a delegation to New Zealand from tbe U.S.S.E. for Ihe purpose of acquiring sbeep for stocking and breeding purposes in bis country. Mr Mayoroff bas recently completed an extensive journey tbrougb the major sbefep-raising distriets iu New Zealand, inspecting most of the important flocks. He Teports be bas fonnd tbe type of sbeep being raised, witb its' body low set .and well covered, of . excellent quality. . Farming . con,ditions in Russia were substantially .tbe same . as . tbose existing here, said Mr Mayoroff. .Until the 'last. few year3 the runs ,had been scattered, but at the prese'nt time attempts were being made to est^blish production on a large scale • in specified areas. .... It is boped that ultimately tbe Russian flocks would be of -sufficient- size to support tbe country 's demand, both for wool and muttony witbout recourse to otber countries. Wben it was realised tbat the population of -Russia grew at tbe rate of 3,000,000. every year, howe ver, it -was -apparent -that tbe task was a large one and. tbe export trade' was likely to be' a wery valuable one. Since tbe Australian reatrictibn - on the - exportation of Merinos, Enssia had been forced to look' elsewbere , for .supplies, and tbese .were found.principally in New Zealand, ' England, «U.S,A. and Germany.

Tbe quantity reqnired, bowever, was so hnge tbat there was very little competition between'tbese countries." According to the.present indications, it appeared likely that New • Zealand .would take a forward position in supplying this demand. On bis prespnt visit Mr Mayoroff had intended purchasing . about 300ft rams under his principals' contract, witb the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., . Ltd., bnt unfortunately, owing to tbe excessively wet spring and summer, tbe animals did not at present comply in every respeet 'with the standard requixed. He, however, would rETport to bis principals tbe general stand^ ard of tbe New Zealandr flocks, which, in his opinion, will prove very suitable for Russian conditions. Mr Mayoroff expressed bis;appreciation of the kiiid treatment extended to bim and his party during tbeir ifcsit to New Zealand and to the services extended to tbem from all directions to aid them in tecbnical matters. The party will leave New Zealand some time this montk