New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1877.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 4944, 26 January 1877, Page 2

New Zealand Times. (PUBLISHED DAILY.) FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 1877.

There is a subject again coming to the front in Australia/ and occupying a prominent position in the columns of tho leading Australian Press, and which possesses no small interest to the farmers and breeders of this colony. We refer to tho increasing demand for horses for the Indian market. A careful study of the horse trade of our Indian Empire for some years past has demonstrated two important facts: first, that there is a large and increasing demand for horses in that country, and second, the utter inability of India, from climatic and other causes, to supply her own wants. Consequently, she has to look to other lands for a supply of that which appears necessary to her pre-eminence, and even existence as a great military power. A constant importation of horses has become a matter of first importance to the Indian Government, in order to keep her cavalry and artillery in a state of permanent efficiency. For many years _they ; drew largely upon Australia and Tasmania, and those colonies were becoming to be looked upon as the principal sources of supply. But the .Indian officers more recently condemned the Australian horses, and strongly recommended their Government to turn their attention to other parts of the world, and discontinue buying from Australia In fact, so unpopular did the Australian horses become, that they were considered of less value than the homebred animals. Eor this change the Australians had themselves to blame. Overcome by an inordinate' thirst for gain, they committed the fatal mistake of supplying their customer with an inferior article. In the interior of New South Wales there are large herds of wild horses, similar to those which roam over the savannahs of America and the steppes of Asia. Tho Australian wild horse, like his compeer in America, is the descendant of domesticated animals which escaped from the early colonists. Wild horses have increased so largely in New South Wales as to become areal nuisance to the squatter. Numbers of these horses were captured and sent to India ; they were found for the most part useless for the* purposes required by the Indian Government, and hence the unpopularity of the Australian horse in that country. India has either found it impossible to obtain what she requires from those countries, or that the horses so obtained are not equal to really good animals imported from Australia. The result is, she is again turning her attention to these colonies. It is a singular fact, but not more strange than true, that of late years horses have greatly advanced in price in many parts of the world. This is particularly tho case in Europe. In England first-rate carriage horses now realise almost fabulous prices, and good cart breeds sell at prices far in advance of former times. France, it is known, has none to spare. Russia has imported largely from other European States, for the equipment of her vast armies. These facts should lead the breeders of these colonies to look well to the future. And we are sure, from information at hand, that remunerative prices may be relied on for some years to come. Time was, and that not long since, when New Zealand depended upon Australia and Tasmania for imported horses, and golden harvests were reaped by sundry dealers and shippers who catered for the supply of our, market. This state of things is happily at an end, and our own breeders are able to keep pace with the demand. This of itself is in the highest degree gratifying, and speaks well for the • energy and perseverance of our farmers. In 1875 we had 100,000 horses in the colony. , Our breeders have spared no expense to obtain the best stud horses, and their success has been commensurate with the spirit of enterprise they have exhibited. The numerous Agricultural and Pastoral Associations by the judicious distribution of prizes have done much to foster a spirit of emulation among breeders of first-class stock. The description of horses most in demand in the Indian market are the most hardy kinds. That is, animals combining symmetry of build with great powers of endurance. This is necessary where rapid military movements are frequently required under a tropical sun and an enervating climate. Well-bred horses brad in Australia answer well. The Arab horse is said to be the best for the Indian service, but fortunately for the rest of the world the supply from that quarter is very limited. Crosses with the pure Arab, bred in other than the Indian climate, are the best all round. It would be well if some of our wealthy stud farmers would take this matter in hand, with a view to the importation of stud stock of the Arab breed. We see no reason why New Zealand should not make a hid for her. share , in the Indian trade. We have every facility in so far as climate is concerned for rearing horses of the required kind. Our pastures are rich and abundant for tho development of the young animal during the period of growth. Our farmers are perhaps the best judges of what is most likely to pay them best, and we have no desire to dictate to them. But the subject is worth some consideration, and we commend it to their earnest attention. Australia, according to her own account, is not in a position to supply the Indian market with the description of horses most required. But wo have already hinted that her people are on the alert and considering the beat means of meeting the requirements of. their old customer. Under these circumstances. New Zealand will be able to he in the field as soon as her energetic neighbors in the Southern continent.. We hope this matter will not be lost sight of. It is of the utmost importance to the colony that our export trade should he pushed to the utmost limits. We have done well hitherto, but there is no reason why. we should not do better. It is to the interest of the colony that we should avail ourselves of opportunities which present themselves, and which promise a return in hard cash for the enterprise. At present one difficulty appears to be in the way, according to the Australian papers—that is, the prices offered by the Indian Government for horses is too low. This, if persisted in, will be fatal. We are not aware of the exact prices stated. But in ouri opinion it resolves itself into a mere question of supply and demand. If the Indian Government want horses of a certain description, they must pay tho breeder a remunerative price. The Australians are not the people to embark in an Undertaking without the prospect of a fair;return for the outlay. And with the fact; before us of the increased value, of horses in all the groat centres of civilisation, the Government of India is not likely to he in a position for some time to come to dictate terms to the producer. Be the result what it may, we have embraced tho earliest opportunity to put

our readers in possession of the real facts of the case, as far as we have been able to ascertain them. We leave it, therefore, in the hands of those most competent to judge, and content ourselves with having done our best to promote the interests of the colony. We append a few statistics showing the value of the import and export trade in horses in the various colonies of Australasia:— In 1875 victoria exported horses to the value of £97,908, and imported to the amount of £57,989. In 18C8 New South Wales imported £16,191 worth. In 1874 the exports from Tasmania amounted to £18,493. It may lie interesting to note tho value of the importations into India seaward during recent years, as shown by her own returns. In 1872 she imported horses from the Australian colonies to the value of £75,585. In 1874 the importations from those colonies had fallen to £49,230. She also imported during the latter year £16,410 worth of horses from tho United Kingdom, and £4BBI worth from the Persian Gulf. The importations of other stock during the same year were valued at £70,459.