THE STALLION TAX.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2949, 9 June 1891, Page 2

THE STALLION TAX.

TO THE KDITOH. Sib, —It may savour setnewhat of temerity on my part, after the popular maimer m which tho proposal to tax stallions lias been taken up by cattle boards, farmers' clubs, &c., to raise any doubt as to the wisdom of the step. But I must admit that I have not as yet seen sufficient grounds put forward by anyono that would justify the imposition of such a tax. That the feos so collected would providj handsome prizes for the best stallions is undoubted ; but that tho number of secondclass sires would bo reduced owing to the annual payment of five, or even ten, guineas is, to say the least, highly improbable. The mjst likely—indeed, almost certain—effect of a stallion tax, whether large or small, will be to increase the fees charged for service, and these, in view of the market value of young horses, are at present quite high enough. Another point to be considered is the large numbur of Maori horses roaming about tho country, generally including a stallion or two. How are those to be dealt with V It is all very woll to s-iy " shoot them,''but this might prove a very dilKcult and pxpunsivu pro coeding, and would involve tlw appointment of an authorised inspector. 1 understand the primary object sought for is to improve the breed of horses, and none can object to that or fail to respect those working in swell a direction ; but until farmers themselves realise that breeding and feeding scrubbers is a losing business, any legislation on the subject, in the way of imposing taxation, will, I believe, effect little or no improvement; while, at the Batne time by increasing the fees, linking horse-bronding from the farmers' point of view even more unprofitable than it now is.—l (im, Ac., K. C. SiiEritEnn.