AUSTRALIAN MERINOS.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 292, 13 June 1929, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN MERINOS.

POSSIBILITY OF RIVALRY. Export of Stud Sheep. For years there has been discussion in -Australian wool-growing and stud ■sheep, as to the wisdom, or rather unwisdom., of shipping stud Merino sheep to South Africa, and other countries, which by an improvement in the quality of their wool, may become competitors of A ustralia in the world’s markets, says an Australian paper. For all practical purposes the controversy may be limited to South Africa, and though from personal experience as well as from the opinion of practical woolgrowers from this coun try who have seen many of the best flocks in the Union, we have always maintained that there is no danger of South African wools seriously, or even noticeably, affecting our predominance or the prices paid for out own raw ma . terial, it may. be that on such a broad question and one of such a highly problematical nature other views are as likely to be right, says the Pastoral Review. The sole point for consideration is the question of maintenance of Australian wool superiority over all competitors, and the effect that the use of Australian sires in competitors } floeks may have on that, superiority; the. statement that Australian growers are penalised by a shortage of rams, and consequently higher, prices, through the export trade, may be ruled out of court at once.

Breeders do not export their best rams, and the very small percentage of rams shipped out of the total output is insufficient to affect the prices of the domestic supply. Reasoning to the contrary is probably at : the bottom of much of the opposition, but if those arguing along such lines stop to think they will realise it is an atttitude fatal to the producer, as it could also be to ■ meat and all products —that is the prevention of export to cheapen all commodities to the local consumer. If, however, “ doctors differ” on other aspects of the general question, the surest way. to set all minds at rest is to make a thorough investigation by say, a small delegation of breeders and growers, of the wool-producing industry in rival countries. Necessarily it would have to be conducted without flourish of trumpets, and the investigators would need to be thoroughly able men. capable of asscsing sfuture development possibilities as well as actual existing conditions. A report based on findings such as they would make should definitely settle the argument, one way or another. Random opinions of men who are not in a position to do more than theorie cannot be considered a sufficiently sound basis for Government action.