8 March, 1907.] Improvement iu Horse-breeding. 



i4[ 



After further conference with representative horse-breeders and others 

 interested in the trade, the Minister decided to spend tht^ vote as recom- 

 mended bv the Committee. 



On the announcement of the definite intention of the Goxeninu'iit to 

 import a number of Welsh cob stallions and mares, much public interest 

 was manifested, and a considerable amount of criticism i)rofFered throuj;h 

 the press. The various views thus ])ut forward wrtc commented on in 

 the following memorandum to the Minister b\ Mr. S. S. Cameron, 

 M.R.C.V.S., Chief Veter'narx Officer, on :21st March, 1006:-- 



" The scheme for utilization of tho. Government t^'rant of ^,,2,000 

 towards the improvement of horse-breeding, which was formulated bv the 

 Committee appointed bv the Honorable the ^Minister, namelv, tlie importa- 

 tion of a numlter of Welsh cob entires and m.tres. has now Infii iicFori^ 



1 \I I'OklKli WKL.MI i'dW. ■ ■ Alol N IAIN III':K(J. 

 Property of the late Hon. J. H. Connor, M.L.C. Cliamjiion prize-taker of .Australia. 



the public three months. The scheme has l^een criticised from all quarters, 

 and, in the main, it may be said that the amount of adverse criticism ha.s 

 not been so great as the Committee expected. The subject is one cm wdiich 

 all sorts of opinions are held, and it is safe to say that there is not likely 

 to be unanimity, even amongst experienced men, as to the best means ot 

 attaining the object. It is noticeable throughout all adverse criticism that 

 it is of a destructive character, and not constructive. That is to say, while 

 in some quarters the scheme has been broadly condemned, no better way 

 of expending the money has been put forward. Indeed, nothnng has been 

 suggested in this connexion but what had previously received careful con- 

 sideration by the Committee before deciding on its recommendation. On 

 the other hand, the support which the scheme has received is gratifving. 



