BETTER STOCK

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1932, Page 2

BETTER STOCK

A CANTERBURY SCHEME. ENDORSEMENT BY AGRICULTURISTS. WELLINGTON, June 22. Sponsored by Professor Alexander, of Canterbury Agricultural College, a scheme for the betterment of stock was approved by the conference of the Royal Agricultural Society, which opened in Wellington to-day. The basis of the scheme, it was explained, was legislation in favour qf compulsory registration of male breeding animals up to a defined standard and the elimination of all sires below that standard.

Professor Alexander said that if stud breeding was to be a success and stud animals were to do their part in raising the general standard of stock, better breeding methods would have to be adopted. Economic production must be the basis of breeding. Show points and breed stallion* need not be overlooked, but they should not over-ride the definite aim -one had in view. If the best stock wel'e desirable then only the perfect atiiitlal should be bred fi ; Om_ and mongrel-bred animals should be cullecL BRITISH SUPREMACY. / ‘UJ.ritfish «tud stock breeders for years have reaped a rich harvest in exploiting live stock. W-e have as good natural facilities in soil and climate as they have, but have not an established claim,” »aid Professor Alexander. “We cannot hope to -estabish that claim now unless we adopt not only modem but ultra-modern regulations. We have not yet obtained the unanimous support of stock-raisers for our scheme, and if we have not, then we must examine the reasons why. Stock improvement by legislation has one serious obstacle to contend with—conservatism. That it is an infringement of individual liberty and that those who breed poor stock have their own reward are two arguments that opponents of the scheme have put forward. These ideas are erroneous. No stock-raiser can consume all hi/s own stock. When he sells them it is the country and not he who assumes responsibility for having produced them. If the country finds it necefteary to apply some restriction for the protection of its fair name, is it not fust that the individual should be called on to bear his share “If we are to produce better quality lamb, better quality wool, and better quality cheese, then it is to the farmer, not to the grader*, and not to our London agents, that we must look.” A committee, consisting of Professor Alexander, and Messrs L. R. C. Macfarlane, 1). Buchanan,. W. Perry, and C. G. C. Dermer was appointed to -go into the details.