Page 12 Advertisements Column 2

Taranaki Daily News, 9 October 1915, Page 12 (Supplement)

At the termination of the FrancoPrussian war in 1870 it was found that tliese two States had used up all the available surplus horses in their own territories, and many bought from other countries. Compared with the present eonfliot that was a war of restricted area and duration, but the demand on horses was such that the nations were impoverished for years. There is no doubt that the war of 1870 iiad unlooked-for effect on horse-breeding all over the world. In our own country the depletion caused a search into resources, and aroused the strong feeing that something must be done to preserve our valuable breds. Prior to that time only one variety had a Stud Boole, and none had a society waitching and working for its interests. The solitary Stud Book was that for the thoroughbred racehorse. One ultimate result of the scarcity was the establishment of numerous Breed Societies for horses and Stud Books, which gradually extended until every distinct variety came under the influence of its breed organisation, and was furnished with an oflicial record of pedigrees. .Much more might have been done here, and far more ■vyas done by the State in other countries, for horse-breeding. But under the voluntary principle, which has ayways been regarded with so much favour in the United Kingdom, a great deal was accomplished.

Half a million letters are sen to our soldiers on the western front every da»v,