NEW ZEALAND HORSES.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 February 1919, Page 5

NEW ZEALAND HORSES.

♦ ! TO STAY IN PALESTINE. \ W cllington, Feb. 19. The Minister for Defence stated this 'evening, in answer to a question on the Subject, that he did not think it would be possible to bring back from Egypt and Palestine any of the horses sent from New Zealand during the war. The horses, as far as he knew, wore to be sold there when they were no longer required by the troops. Some of the mounted men now returning to New Zealand are very sad about their horses and are dismayed at fthc prospect of the animals that served so well in the war passing into the hands nf the natives, whose cruelty and neglect in the treatment of animals are notorious. The Dominion's horses earned great praise during the campaigns in Egypt and Palestine. They endured hardships nobly, they met every call made upon them, nnd they played a great part in the victories of the colonial troops. It is stated that some men have shot their horses rather than leave them to be the victims of native husbandmen and hawkers in the years to come. Sir James Allen, when referring to the matter, stated that he appreciated fully ,the splendid work that had been done by ! the horses. But it was impracticable I to bring them back to New Zealand. i The question was not one of cost but of transport. It was difficult enough 'i to find ships to bring the men back. ■ Slips for horses seemed to be out of queatfe*,