MERINO EMBARGO

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 June 1941, Page 6

MERINO EMBARGO

. MAY’ BE' LIFTED BY AUSTRALIA. 1 The Graziers’ Association of New South Wales has decided by a substantial majority to recommend the lifting 1 of the export embargo on Australian merino sheep. Approval of the graziers of the other sheep-breeding States will have to be obtained through the Federal organisation, but it is significant that the repeal move has originated in New South Wales, where there are nearly 50,000,000 head of sheep, or nearly half the sheep population of Australia. A.ustralia has proudly and jealously guarded its fine stock and for more than a decade there has been an embargo on the export .of merinos for breeding purposes. Now. however, half the sheep owners of Australia at any rate, realise that this embargo is perhaps not in the best world interest and may even be reacting against themselves. If the ban is lifted it will be good news for United States sheep breeders, for it has long been recognised that the Australian strain of merino sheep is pre-eminent in the production of long staple, high yielding, fine wools. The Graziers' Conferc-ifSe felt, that, some of the irksome regulations hampering economic development should be scrapped and its lead in the breaking down of this particular trade restriction is regarded as a practical gesture and a progressive step furthering the ideals of unity between the Commonwealth and the United State's.