SAVING STUD STOCK

Southland Times, Issue 24231, 14 September 1940, Page 12

SAVING STUD STOCK

Free Grazing For British Sheep

PRESERVATION OF BEST BREEDS A proposal to enable English stud sheep breeders to send their best bloodstock to New Zealand for safe keeping during the war was set on foot by Mr R. C. Todhunter at a meeting of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association executive this week. Mr Todhunter said other countries lose their fine stud stock altogether. “Take Spain,” he said. “They were famous once for Merinos. And' what about Denmark and Holland; where’s all their stock? Down in the Boche’s belly,” Mr Todhunter answered himself. “It’s going to be a huge job to restock the world after the war,” he continued. “There’s England, the world’s greatest stud farm, and her stud stock is in danger.” Mr Todhunter said that while the demand now was for quantity first, after the war it would be for quality, again. Further, it would benefit New Zealand to graze the stock free of charge, keep up or improve the standard of its own stock, and then return the sheep to their owners. The question of sterling exchange would not come up, as there would be no money changing hands. The only question would be for the British Government to arrange shipping. Mr T. A. Stephens said that the British Government was alive to the danger, and was removing stud stock to safe places. There was the Channel Islands tragedy to serve as a lesson, he said. The Jersey cattle were now in German hands and probably in their stomachs.

“It involves the lifting of the embargo,” said Mr E. S. Taylor (president). “And foot-and-mouth,” said Mr H. S. Lawrence.

Mr Todhunter said that every precaution would be taken. He had forgotten to mention “foot-and-mouth.” His idea was that the appropriate breed society would look after the stock of each breed. On his motion it was decided to draft a cable and suggest to the Prime Minister that he send it to the British Government if he saw fit, the cable to contain the conditions suggested.