ROMNEY V. LEICESTER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 924, 18 March 1930, Page 10

ROMNEY V. LEICESTER

SIR FREDERICK AYKROYD’S STATEMENTS OFFICIAL INQUIRIES MADE Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. : A cable from London was published j in the New Zealand Press about Feb- i ruary 26 in which it was stated that I in addressing the Bradford Chamber | of Commerce, the president. Sir Frederick Aykroyd, described Romney sheep as producers of wool 'Tittle better than donkeys’ hair.” He was further reported to have j stated that "Leicesters were among i tli q best sheep ever bred, and that they were displacing Romneys in the Dominion, and that the New Zealand Government was alarmed at the declining value of Romney wool and had sent a representative to inquire as to what could be done in the matter.” “In view of the extraordinary nature of this statement attributed to a gentleman of the standing of Sir Frederick Aykroyd,” said the DirectorGeneral of Agriculture, Dr. C. J. Iteakes, yesterday, “a communication was sent to the High Commissioner asking him to mgke special and direct inquiries in the matter and to cable the result. A reply has now been received to the effect that the report was inaccurate.

“In the first place Sir Frederick Aykroyd lias not been president of the Bradford Chamber of Commerce since five years ago. and some years have elapsed since New Zealand wool was discussed at a meeting of that chamber. The Press statement published here referred to a meeting of the Yorkshire Farmers and Breeders of Leicester sheep, at which Sir Frederick stated that at one time Leicester sheep formed the foundation of New Zealand flocks, but that breeders had since allowed Romneys to supersede Leicesters. He further stated that Romneys ran off to little more than donkey hair at the britch and that bad culling of Romneys had been brought to the notice of the late Mr. Massey, then Prime Minister, who as a result had had the matter inquired into. “Sir Frederick Aykroyd’s object in making this statement,” said Dr. Reakes, “was to encourage enterprise in the breeders of Leicesters. He fully recognises that there has been an improvement in New Zealand Romneys, and for some time past has endeayoured to assist New Zealand farmers in correcting the faults in Romney wool. This explanation puts a very different complexion on Sir Frederick’s statement to that which was embodied in the Press cable referred to, and it is very desirable that it be given the necessary publicity.”