AN ARGENTINE SHOW.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2490, 1 May 1909, Page 6

AN ARGENTINE SHOW.

TO BEv HELD NEXT YEAR. There is to be held in the Argentine, next year, a great exhibition of pedigree stock —horses, cattle, and sheep, f lic idea is, of course, to induce competition from all parts of the world, and •thus enable the ranch-holders of the Republic to sccleet from the very best that is procurable. It has been urged in some quarters that it is highly desirable that New Zealand should be represented at this exhibition. This is a question which is open to serious discus'ion. It is true that, of late years, there has been a demand from the Argentine for certain kinds of New Zea- [ land and Australian sheep, and( that there has been a corresponding falling off iu the importation or English stud stock. It must be remembered, however, that the Argentine is the meat formidable rival this country has in iW gard to frozen meat. Slowly, but surely that great Republic is forcing its way into the markets of the world. Even now it is. making a hold bid to rob us of our> supremacy in the lamb trade, and it is only a question of a few years when, unless we improve our own flocks by retaining our best studs, one of the greatest industries will be in peril. The point to be decided is whether we are justified in allowing the pick ofj our studs to go to a country which, by the reason of its proximity, may rob us of a staple industry. Of course studmasters cannot lie blamed for reeking tbe best markets for their produce. That is only natural. There is a national aspect to the question, however, and it is upon this aspect that we would invite discussion. Have we not the example of South Africa in respect to ostriches and Angora goats? The export of these is absolutely prohibited by law, although, doubtless, ostrich and Angora stud breeders would be pleased to open up a trade with Australia. Wo would like (says the “Farmers Union Advocate”) the opinion of some of our leading farmers upon the question of whether it is prudent to encourage the exportation (particularly to the Argentine) of the pick of our stud sheep.