THE STATE AS A STUD STOCK-BREEDER.

Otago Witness, Issue 2784, 24 July 1907, Page 9

THE STATE AS A STUD STOCK-BREEDER.

fa the "Wellington Agricultural Notes" in the Witness of the 2nd inst. I made brief reference to the proposal of the State to hjreed stud dairy bulk as outlined by the Eon. R. M*Nab in hie address at the Palmerston North winter show. The proposal j is of such an important nature that no excuse is necessary 1 for reverting to the Bubject. For some years past there has been a tendency to appeal to the State fox everything. This, to me, seems a sign that the individual is deteriorating. The sturdy old stock-breeders who developed the colonies are passing, away, and their successors have become inoculated with the disease so common amongst the majority of tradesmen and business men, who at every opportunity apply x to the Government for a protective duty or a bonus. It is undoubtedly a function of ihe State to develop by education every trade and industry, and the Government is to be complimented on what j it has done in the past. I hope the good I work will' be continued in the direction of technical education, experimental farms, dairy schools, etc., so that New Zealand may be able to keep in the front rank in the production of the necessaries of life for which it is by Natur« adapted. I am obliged to "Agricola" for furnishing me with a text. Replying to a communication from the Bruce and Tuapeka woolgrowers on the 2nd inst. he said : "Thanks to those 'social pests' and land companies which established .purebred- flocks of --the best British breeds of «heep in the colony the demands of flookowners" on the Government of tlie day have never been numerous or heavy," etc Readers who have missed "AgriooiaV', reply had look it up: it is -worth H, Undoubtedly the so-called "social pests" did— and there axe a fe% left yet who continue doing— grand work in the building ttp of our flocks and herds. ; To these must be added the great army of studmaaters, small cockatoos as a rule, who j have done, and continue doing, much to improve the live stock on the farm by importing high-class animals at great expense. These studmasters are not philanthropists, but until recently they have not been remunerated as they deserved. To ! the land of their adoption they have been, ! and are; benefactors, of the first water. The question arises whether, if at any time during thd last half-century the Government of the da; had been able and willing' to establish State flocks and herds for the purpose of supplying breeders with sires, ■would New Zealand be in the front rank, us she 'is ait present, as a producer of farm Btock? Farm stock I say advisedly — that is, sheep, cattle, horses, and pigs — with any of which New Zealand can hold her own with any part of Australasia, more especially in wool, mutton, lamb, beef, and dairy produce. Tc such a question stockmen will reply emphatically "No," and for this reason: If the State had entered the lists as atud stock-breeders it would soon have had » monopoly of the business. . When a product gets into the hands of a monopolist it quickly deteriorates in quality. Why the ■State ag breeders of stud stock would acquire a monopoly is simply, that private breeders could not afford to supply sires at the low prices that the State would be compelled to sell at, the State being a monopolist without having the advantages that the monopolist has generally — that ie, of being able to command highly remunerative pricp* -for its products, the State's •Ueofe befell? the elector* of the Government <tf ti* SfcSc, *rtx» •rotiid ■ br*£ <£<<* praaajr *» fe* .ft* »res .

would be demanded at peppercorn prices— perhaps as a free gift, and against this private enterprise would:" find it impossible to compete Nor would anyone ever think of importing a hoof, except some far-seeing stockman, who foresaw the inevitable result of State ownership;— a general collapse of the system. By having kept up* a good herd or flock he would be in a position to step in and reap his just reward for having the courage to stake his opinion against such tremendous odds. Many will say, "What's all the hub-bub about? The Government only propose supplying dairy sires." Juet so ; but how about the large numbers of breeders of dairy cattle who for years have been importing purebreds of the beat strains procurable in different parts of the world— Ay rahires, Jerseys, Holsteins, milking strain of shorthorns, and other breeds of dairy cattle — so as to improve the milking herds of the colony, and are only now beginning to reap some reward for their enterprise? Dairymen are only now awakening to the fact that a poor milker eats as much as a good one, and they are willing' to give something like a decent price for a good bull. Are such breeders of purebred stock not worthy of being considered' in the matter, or is it at all likely that they will continue to import further stock in face of Government opposition? It 'may be said that the State ie not in a position to supply any number of bulls, so that its competition will not be felt. But if one man gets a bull from the State, why not another? rhe State would be compelled to quickly augment the supply. Of course it will be years before the State can supply any great number of bulls. But by entering the H6ts as breeders tt will in a measure dominate prices and exercise a depressing effect on private enterprise. If the State is going to provide dairy bulls, why not beef breeds of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, andi donkeys? Now we can. see by the tone of the Bruce and Tuapeka woolgrowers' letter that there are come sheepmen who think they are being neglected by Government. Therefore, if the State engage in stud-breeding in one instance they must of necessity embrace the whole farm stock. The State dairy farm has done, and is doing, grand work by giving dairymen an object lesson as to what can be done to improve their herds. Let them bide at that, with' the addition that if anyone has a superior cow the owner should have the service of one of the State bolls. In other words, let the State in every way possible facilitate the introduction of fresh blood into the pure breeds of private owners.

ANTIQUA OVTS.