EXPORT OF DRAUGHT HORSES

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7848, 10 July 1911, Page 2

EXPORT OF DRAUGHT HORSES

WHERE NEW ZEALAND IS LOSING. A NOTE OF WARNING. The export of draught horses from New Zealand to Australia which was set up about eighteen months ago is still being conducted on an extensive scale, and those interested in the breeding of this class of stock arc wondering whore it is going to end. It is .computed that by this time several thousand draught horses have been shipped from these shores to Australia, and it is quite evident that the export has .reached such a stage as to have a serious side for New Zealand. While it has been made clear that there must have been an enormous surplus stock of lw?avy horses in Xcw Zealand, and that the export trade established has proved an extremely pro-,

fi'taiblo one for New Zealand owners, the fact remains that there have been shipped out of the country a great number of young mares eminently suited for breeding purj>oses. This is on aspect of the position which is causing many interested persons no small amount of concern. A gentleman who has for years taken a keen interest in the ‘breeding of horses in New Zealand, speaking to an '‘Otago Times” reporter recently, stated that this export of heavy hoi*scs from h T <?w Zealand to Australia was going on as extensively as ever. One steamer .which recently left Wellington for Sydney took away ho fewer than 500 animals, and lho available space on practically every intercoJonidJ. boat continues to bo booked by Australian buyers and New Zealand shippers. Present shipments were being made mainly with a view to gaining the attention of buyers .at the series of sales which are to be held in Melbourne for six -or seven days fallowing upon the metropolitan show at the end of next month. Breeders were being tempted by the high prices offering in Australia for good working draughts, but they must realise that they wore depleting their studs in an injudicious manner. The (great bulk of the horses shipped from New’ Zealand have been young mares, which is a regrettable feature of the business. This means that we are losing .these marcs from a breeding point of view. Values ruling in Australia at the present time did not appear to be anything like as high as they were at this time last year. In the case of ordinary working draughts there was probably a difference of .£lO per head. Apart from the fact of so many good breeding mares being sent out of the country, the export of horses established between New Zealand and Australia had proved extremely opportune, as the supply here was very (greatly in excess of the demand, and "if it had not been set up New Zealand prices -at the present time would have been exceedingly low. North Island breeders must have been carrying very heavy surplus stocks, and Australian, buyers who have been operating there have for months past been buying them up in lots of forty and fifty i from the various . big stations. INTERVIEW WITH Hit C. J. ÜBAKES. Mr C. J. Jleakos, Chief Government Veterinarian, on a recent visit to Dunedin, was asked by a press reporter if ho had anything to say on the question of this extensive export of New-Zealand ( draught horses to Australia. Mr Tteakes replied that he did not at the present time feel disposed to make any definite statement on the subject, but the position was certainly one that required very careful consideration. This was especially .so from the point of view of the number of young mares suitable for breeding purposes that were being cent out of the country. While it had been proving a. very profitable business to New Zealand ’breeders, it was highly important that the greatest care should be taken not only that the standard of quality -of the horses left in New Zealand was maintained, but also that every endeavour , should be made to raise it. This was a matter that was receiving his closest attention at the present time. He had no doubt that many of the foremost breeders of draught horses in the South Island were also giving tho matter their earnest attention. It was a matter that rested largely with breeders and horse-owners generally, and h© had no doubt they were fully alive to the position.