REMOUNT HORSES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19375, 13 July 1937, Page 13

REMOUNT HORSES

BREEDING PROBLEM HIGH FEES FOR SIRES IMPORTATIONS SUGGESTED High fees for the services of sires were considered to be the chief reason against more extensive breeding of horses at a meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society, when the question of breeding horses suitable for remounts was being considered. Mr. R. IT. Tod was of the opinion that as practically all units in the army had been mechanised there, was little need for horses for remounts. "You can’t get on without them,” remarked a member. "Not in England. I agree, but in New Zealand we are 100 far away,” replied Mr. Tod. The Hon. H. A. Russell, in disagreeing with Mr. Tod, said that breeding remounts as a reserve would enable the Government to lay its hands on suitable horses should they be required. Although the army was largely mechanised, it would never be able to do without horses.

Mr. J. W. Livingstone explained that after the South African War the Government imported a number of sires for breeding suitable horses. “If the Government would find the sires the farmers would soon get the mares,” said Mr. C. E. Twist. “It is high fees that are standing in the way of breeding horses.” The question of breeding remounts was referred to a committee.