SIRE PREMIUMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22468, 11 July 1936, Page 11

SIRE PREMIUMS

All) FOR BREEDERS INVOKING EARLY ACT IMPORTANCE IN DEFENCE [flY TELEGRAPH —OWN COnHESrONDF.XT] WELLINGTON, Friday Tlic desirability of encouraging horsebreeding in Now Zealand was stressed by a large deputation from tho Now Zealand Racing Conference which waited, on the Minister of finance, the Hon. W. Nash, to-dav. Associated with Mr. Nash were the Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, and the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. W. Lee Martin, while the Minister of Mines, the Hon. P. C. Webb, the leader of the Legislative Council, the Hon. M. Fagnn, and the Hon. G. P. Hunter, M.L.C., were also present. Tho deputation's main request was that tho Remounts Encouragement Actproviding 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 deputation's case. The deputation was introduced hv the Hon. J. McLeod, M.L.C., of Taranaki, who said that representatives of the hunt and polo clubs were associated with it. High Cost o! Tees The desirability of Government assistance in the breeding of horses was stressed by Mr, J. S. McLeod, of Hastings, president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, at whose request a memorandum expressing the views of the deputation was read to the Minister. 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 l'c-c and that coidd be done by tho payment of premiums to the owners of approved stallions.

" The giving of such premiums has lonjj; been in practice in tho United Kingdom*' the memorandum continued. "The Ministry of Agriculture and the "War Office, seeing the excellent work that was being done, have supported the scheme and latterly the Betting Control Board in England has made substantial annual contributions. "In New Zealand the Remounts Encouragement Act was passed in 1914, providing for the payment to owners of stallions of a subsidy not exceeding in any one case the sum of £l5O in respect of the services of a stallion for any breeding season, the total subsidies not to exceed £IOOO a year. 1 his Act has never been put into operation and as far as caii bo ascertained no regulations for which the Act provides have ever been gazetted. Action Long Overdue " The time is long overdue for this Act to be put into operation and resolutions in this respect have recently been passed by the Now Zealand Racing Conference, the New Zealand Hunts Association, the New Zealand Veterinary Association and the committee of the Royal Agricultural and Pastoral Association. The vitality of the sport ot racing, with the hold which it has acquired as a health-giving recreation, hits been strikingly manifested during the anxious times of the past few years. It has plavcd its part as a beneficial antidote to gloom and depression, its value is realised by those who know the necessity of maintaining an effective general utility horse. Iho thoroughbred horse is the foundation on which the stamina of the utility horse is built and wo should see to it that a sufficient supply of horses is availabe wlhen required." The memorandum referred to statements made recently by Mr. Parry regarding the value of breeding horses and providing sufficient sporting. attractions in the Country districts. Ihe deputation endorsed the Minister s views and strongly urged the immediate operation of premiums for thoroughbred stallions.

Submission of Schemes A scheme prepared by LieutenantCojooei i). It. Hewitt, a New Zealander, later of tho Army Remount Department, Indian Army, was submitted for consideration. "We are treating this important matter not selfishly from a racing point of view, but for tho benefit of the country as a whole,'' the memorandum concluded, "Wo know that the Government appreciates the problem of arresting tho drift from tho country to the town and wo feel sure that by encouraging farmers and their sons to breed horses much good will result." Lieutenant-Colonel Hewitt raised the question of tho value of horse in defence. Not more than 10 per cent of the i horses at present goings into camp ill New Zealand, ho said, were fit for sending overseas if the necessity arose, and only a slightly larger percentage were fit for actual active service 111 New Zealand, which, in the event of invasion, would be operative. Petrol supplies would soon give out and tho horse would be a vital nocessity for transport purposes. Value to Country Sport Mr. Parry said tho increased breeding of horses would enable additional sporting facilities to bo provided in country districts. That was important as the attractions of the cities too often lured young men from tho country. Horse-breeding had once been a flourishing industry in New Zealand and he thought it" would lie highly desirable if a scheme such as that outlined by the deputation could be brought into operation. He could promise his personal interest as well ns the support of his department. Mr. Lee Martin pointed out that the Department of Agriculture had originalb' been responsible for the legislation which the deputation wished invoked. His department would be quite willing to administer it, but it could not spare £4OOO from its annual votes. " This seems to revolve more round the question of defence than anything else from the Government's point of view," said Mr. Nash. " I would that the world was in a position where any talk of defence would bo unnecessary. 1 do not think it is. I am not impressed so much with tho question of sending horses overseas. If war broke out I do not think they would get overseas. However, for internal, defence .1 can quite see that tho horse would be necessary, and there is something to bo said for an attempt to bring back the horse to that extent I shall be glad to talk over the matter with the Prime Minister and my other colleagues and seo what can be done. We cannot spend more than we get, but if the money is available from taxation something may be done." RACING FIXTURES July 11—Wi'llinirton Racing Club. July 19—Hawke's Ila.v Hunt Club July 18—Waimate Jlunt Club. July 22—Kanfritikei Hunt Club July 23. 25—Povprty Bay Turf Club. July 25 —South Canterbury Hunt Club. Ju'y 23—Manawatn Racing: Club.