BREEDING OF HORSES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 190, 13 July 1936, Page 4

BREEDING OF HORSES

PLEA FOR ENCOURAGEMENT. STATE ASSISTANCE. WELLINGTON, July 11. The desirability of encouraging horse-breeding in New Zealand was stressed liv a large deputation from the New Zoalaiul Racing Conference, which waited on the Minister of Finance (Hon. W. Nash) yesterday. Associated with Mr Nash were the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. W. E. Parry) and the Minister of Agriculture (Hon. W. Lee Martin), while the Minister of Mines (Hon. P. C. Webb), the Leader of the Legislative Council (Hon. M. Fagan), and Hon. G. R. Hunter, M.L.0., were also present. 'J’he deputation’s main request was that the Remounts Encouragement

Act, providing for the payment of subsidies to owners of stallions, should bo

put into operation. It was pointed out that the Act had been passed in 1914, but had since been left in abeyance. All three Ministers subsequently spoke strongly in favour of the deputa turn’s ease.

'Flic deputation was introduced by Hon. J. McLeod, M.L.C., of Taranaki, who said that representatives of the hunt and polo clubs were associated with it. The desirability of Government assistance in tlie breeding of horses wir stressed by Mr J. S. McLeod, of Hastings, president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, at whose request :• memorandum expressing the views’ o‘ the deputation was read to the Minis ter by the secretary of the conference, Mr IT. It. Sellers. The memorandum stated that the high cost of stud fees was at present a great deterrent to horse-breeding. It was necessary to supply approved thoroughbred stallions at a low stud fee, and that could be done by the payment of premiums to the owners of approved stallions. The memorandum referred to statements made recently bv Mr Parry regarding the value of breeding horses and providing sufficient sporting attractions in the country districts. The deputation endorsed the Minister’s views, and strongly urged the immediate operation ot premiums for thoroughbred stallions. A scheme prepared by Lieutenant-Colonel D. R. Hewitt, a New Zealander, later of the Army Remount Department, Indian Army, was submitted for considera- i tion.

“We are treating this important matter not selfishly from a racing point of view but for the benefit of the country as a whole,” the memorandum concluded. “We know that the Government appreciates Die problem of arresting the drift from the country to the town, and we feel sure that by encouraging farmers and their sons to breed horses, much good will result.”

Dr A. McGregor Grant, of Auckland, said the Hunts’ Association fully , endorsed the deputation’s request. Lieutenant-Colonel Hewitt raised the question of the value of the horse in defence. Not more than 10 per cent, of the horses at present going into camp in New Zealand, lie said, were fit for sending overseas if the necessity arose, and only a slightly larger percentage were fit for actual active ser vice in New Zealand, which in the event of invasion would be imperative. Petrol supplies would soon give out. and the horse would ho a .vital necessity for transport purposes. SUPPORT FOR SCHEMES.

Mi 1 Parry said the increased breeding of horses would enable additional sporting facilities to he provided in country districts. That was important as tne attractions of the cities too often lured young men from the country. Horse bredemg had once been a

flourishing industry in Now Zealand, and lie thought it would he highly desirable if a scheme .such as that outlined by the deputation could he brought into operation. He could promise his personal interest as well a: the support of his department. Mr Lee Martin pointed out .that the Department of Agrieulutre had originally been responsible for the legislation which tlie deputation wished invoiced. His department would he quite willing to administer it, but it could not spare £4GJO from its annual votes. “This seems to revolve more round the question of defence than anything else from tlie Government’s point of view,” said Mr Nash. “I would that we were inside a world ■ position where any talk of defence would be unnecessary. I do not think it is, I am not impressed so much with the question of sending horses overseas. Tf war broke out I do not think they would get overseas. However, for internal defence I can quite see that the horse would he necessary, and there is something to be said for an attempt to bring back the horse. To that extent I shall he glad to talk over the j matter with the Prime Minister and ! my other colleagues and see what can | be done. We cannot spend more than we get, hut if the money is available from taxation something may be done.”