Major DAVIESasked the President of the Board of Agriculture how much money has been allocated by the Board towards the improvement of light-horse breeding during the last four years; whether, prior to the War, farmers were urged by the Government to breed light horses as a patriotic duty; and whether, having regard to the present cost of production, the production of light horses is a remunerative industry in this country?
§ Sir R. WINFREYThe sum allocated to the improvement of light-horse breeding in the Estimates of the Board during the last four years was £122,400, or an average of £30,600 a year. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative. As regards the third part, the Board consider that, although at the moment the industry may be comparatively unremunerative,it is hoped that with the return of normal conditions the breeding of the best classes of light horses will again attract the farmer.