STALLION REGISTRATION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 14274, 15 August 1910, Page 7

STALLION REGISTRATION.

THE AUSTRALIAN LESSON,

The magnificent prices realised for New Zealand draught stock at the Melbourne sales convey more than one lesson. In the first place, they clearly show—as, indeed, lias been long recognised—that there is a splendid market in Australia for the draught stock which can be bred to such a high standard in this country. Then with the advance of the plough, consequent ' largely by reason of the extension of closer settlement, but in great part by the adoption of improved methods of tillage and dairying, which are leading to purely grazing country being turned' to more profitable account, there is every prospect of the dcnind expanding. It is therefore obvious that if New Zealand breeders are to continue the export of draugh stock in increasing volume and a satisfactory standard, radical reforms will have to be effected. This country is by far the most important draught-horse breeding centre in Australasia, and we are lagging painfully in the rear in regard to the control of hereditary disease. This suicidal policy can have only one result —the proportion of sound stock produced from year to year will gradually decrease. This is but the natural result of Australia's activity in stamping out hereditary disease, 'it demands •fthat every New Zealand stallion must | be passed bj a Government veterinary

before being shipped. This means that the sound stallions of this country are being shipped abroad and the unsound one left behind to pass on their defects—or a disposition to their defects—to their progeny. When there is added to this that mares are being slupped to Australia in -j. wholesale way, and some of them the bast dams in the country, the position-is seen to be a very serious one. The result- can be imagined in breeding from inferior mares and stallions possessing hereditary defects. Of course some good horses Tomain, but the proportion of satisfactory stock is being lessened rather than increased.

I< or many years representative farmers opposed the excellent proposal of the Department of Agriculture in regard to a stallion law. Now, it is satisfactory to know, tliev are oomin"- to realise tho necessity of it. The sooner the inspection is introduced, and farmers thereby encouraged to bi-eod only from sound stock, the better it will be for tins most promising and profitable I business—N.Z. Times.