TAXING STALLIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1917, 17 August 1888, Page 6

TAXING STALLIONS.

As a means of improving the breeds of horses in the colony the proposal to tax stallions has been already discussed, and it may be added counselled, in the columns of che Witness. A measure of the kind has been strongly advocated by members of leading agricultural societies in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland, on the common ground that weedy and frequently unsound sires inflict serious injuries in the colonies. The services of horses of the class may be had at merely nominal rates, and intelligent breeders are deterred from investing the necessary money in valuable sires. Consequently there has not been any material or general improvement in the average stamp of horses of late years, while deterioration is plainly evident in a considerable proportion of the young stock in the colony. The fact, for fact it is, is solely attributable to extensive use of inferior sires because of the cheapness of their services. These false ideas of economy obtain widely in circles where the real interests of breeders should be better understood. As for example, last season a wealthy business man and a breeder of horses on a small scale, offered the owner of a prize thoroughbred sire 15s for the service of the animal. Of course the offer was refused, but it was well understood that the services of other horses in the district could be had at the rate, although their owners ostensibly charged a higher fee. The imposition of a stallion tax would not only weed out worthless animals, but it would also protect owners who have had the pluck to retain valuable sires throughout depressed times ; and further, it would directly encourage the introduction of fresh blood now there is a prospect of higher prices and a better demand for superior horses of various types.

The opponents of the proposed tax argue that taxation is already heavy enough without adding another to the burden. But this — and the matter deserves the consideration of the agricultural societies of the colony — need only be a tax in name. The proceeds in defined districts should be equitably divided among the agricultural societies therein, and thus additional funds would be provided for offer as prizes to encourage horse-breeding. The collection of the tax by the Stock department would be inexpensive ; for we can affirm, after consultation with numerous owners cf first-class sires, that they would regard its imposition with favour, because it would assure them as an equivalent a larger patronage of their horses. Therefore there would be slight risk of attempts to evade payment.

It has been argued that agricultural societies, with the co-operation of horsebreeders, can greatly further improvements in horse-breeding. That something has been already effected is beyond dispute, but the class of sires which perpetrate the mischief are studiously withheld from showyards, where they would be publicly condemned, nor are they exhibited at the annual parades. Another precaution against the use of inferior sires has been suggested — viz., that no entire whose name and lineage are not in a stud book should be submitted to the inspection oi the judges in a show ring. To this the reply is, the pedigree of every really valuable sire is inserted in a stud book — this is almost invariably the case with thoroughbreds — or otherwise satisfactorily attested. Again it is widely known that hereditary unsound horses out of number have been entered in stud books which, therefore, give no guarantee in this important particular ; whereas one condition of registration under a stallion tax act would be a veterinary surgeon's certificate that the animal was free from hereditary unsoundness. But it will be contended that to be consistent and to prevent the perpetuation of unsoundness^ brood mares should be subjected also to the ordeal of veterinary inspection. The evils resulting from breeding from an unsound mare are infinitesimal when compared with those inflicted by the use of a faulty sire. ' In the one case a faulty foal in the season will be, the.' result; in the other from 40 to 60 or 70 inherently lame foals will be left.' In the one case the well deserved loss falls upon the owner of the mare, whereas serious, injury is inflicted by the owner of an unsound sire on the proprietors — who have no remedy — of the 40, 60, 0r. 70 mares; It is for these and other sufficient reasons breeders of horses require protection in their industry, and deception in an important particular made impossible. It is but right that every man should be free to choose the breed and type of horse from which to breed from ; but only very few horse-breeders'are qualified to determine the soundness or otherwise of a sire; and it is in this particular protection is needed by them. Pedigrees are all very well in their way, bat they are frequently used to cover serious hereditary faults. ' : The subject is an important one, for nearly the world dyer first-class horses of various

pure breeds, and really good crossbreds as well, are steadily rising in value. Apart from draught horses now becoming much lessened in number here, superior carriage pairs, backs, and horses suitable for the Indian market are now at what may termed fancy prices compared with the ruling rates two years ago. The colony is eminently suited for horse-breeding, and under even existing circumstances it is of the utmost importance that the business should be established on sound principles and fostered in every legitimate way.