HORSE EXPORT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2403, 8 January 1895, Page 4

HORSE EXPORT.

(Jfawcra Star.) , At a time like tho present - when a the articles of export on which the colony has been relying to pay-its way are falling id value, it is necessa to cast about for fiesh sources of reve ic and trade. The timber industry has already been : referred to j and the Government are taking stepsto find oat whether there really is that margin of profit which paper calculations appear to indicate. The outcome of the experiments being undertaken will be looked for with interest and hope. Lately in this district there has been, also discussed the possibility*of a trade with England in'horses, and we understand that the matter has been brought under tbe notice of the head of his department by Mr Monro, local inspector of stock. When recently at the show here a very good Judge of horses, a gentleman who has also a knowledge of the Value of horse stock in England, was very much struck with the quality of the. light horses shown, and knowing tho demand for such in England and the large margin of profit there would appear to bo on local prices if a reasonable freight could bo arranged for, expressed the opinion that thequestion of export was worth looking into. This confirmed an opinion formed and expressed by Mr Monro on his return from a visit to England some five years ago, and has so revived interest in the mailer that, as stated, it has been brought under the notice of the department. Mr'Monro suggests that Government should arrange with a shipping company to take a lot of carriage and hunter horses at about £lO perheadi which, as compared with cost of shipping Australian fat should be a liberal offer. Farmers and breeders might then be asked to consign horses through tho Government; and in the event of the required number not being so consigned, the Government might -buy under careful supervision suitable horses for the English markets, and so. makeup the number agreed upon by the shipping company. From £SO to £IOO is not grudged for good carriage stock at Home, and it requires no prophet to sec that there would be no difficulty.in breeding good horses here if breeders had an assured prospect that the animals could bo got to Euglimd at reasonable rater It would bo ‘an immense assistaucc to farmers if they could count on getting clear say £2O or £3O for a good three or four-year-old colt. It is well-known that the small farmers in Ireland derive a large income from this source, and in these days of large steamers, when time and distance are no longer tho bar they used to bo to enterprise of this kind, there is reason to believe that something might be done. There is, at any rate, a sufficiently good prospect- to warrant an enquiry, and, if possible, an experimental shipment. If the demand could be demonstrated and a profit shown, we should suppose a considerable supply would undoubtedly offer.