NEED FOR HORSES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23434, 25 August 1939, Page 6

NEED FOR HORSES

,DEFENCE AND FAKHING SHORTAGE OF SOME TYPES INCREASED USE PROBABLE / Although it is extremely unlikely that the horse will ever regain its former important position in the city, inquiries made in different quarters yestferday indicate that, for some types of " horse at least, tlie demand at present exceeds the supply available. In spite ■of efforts to satisfy this demand, there a is still a shortage of horses suitable for use as army remounts, and, in another direction, the increased petrol tax has lpade many farmers determine to use general utility horses, where previously tractors and small trucks were carrying out the necessary work. The .Remounts Encouragement Act of 1914, recently brought into operation again, was fulfilling a useful purpose, said an officer in close touch with mounted rifles work, but it would make its presence felt more in the future than during this year. In the meantime, he continued, there was a definite shortage of horses with the stamina and build required for mounted men. An Appeal to Farmers Illustrating the need for horses was an appeal recently made by the Army League, in which farmers were asked to supply a mount for use at parades bv riders in mounted rifles companies. The appeal was made *on behalf of Numerous members of companies who lived in or near Auckland, and were not in a position to tend their own horses. Up to the present, 15 1t plies had been received, the horses offered varying from "brumbies" to near thoroughbreds. Owners of good horses, however, /wished to have some guarantee that their beasts would be in the care of officers, and some mentioned that t-hey would prefer a scheme for defence remounts which was sponsored by /the Government. As one former officer said, the perfect situation was for a mounted rifleman to own his own iiorse, but; in the opinion of another, while there was a shortage of suitable horses, full use should be made of those that . were available. The First Fairs Awaited Until the first horse fairs of the year have been held it is not possible to say to what extent the farmers have reverted to the horse in preference to the petrol-driven machine. Farmers from many parts of the province have an- , nounced their intention of buying horses and during recent visits to Auckland have bought bridles, collars and. chains in readiness for the coming season. One saddler who was interviewed yesterday, and whose business extends throughout the country, said the lecent demand for this type of harness foreshadowed an increased use of the horse in farm work. Four years ago general idtility horses had been sold at high prices, but the situation was much different now, and the comparative cheapness of horses would probably cause large numbers to be bought. Different Conditions in City '' What effect the increased demand would have on the prices he was unable to say, but ; as there were many more working animals available now than in previous years, he did not consider that prices would rise to similar heights. ~ The day of the horse's usefulness for road-work had passed, he thought, and not even the increased cost of petrol ,/ would bring horse transport back to the city. Speed in delivery was an important factor for city bakers, butchers and 'milkmen, and, although some firms retained a few horses and carts, they •were not likely to increase their fleet. A prominent stock agent, when asked ' what the future held for the horse, was not- inclined to be informative. He preferred to wait until the farmers had /shown by their actions at sales whsb their attitude was to be.