N.Z. RACING CONFERENCE.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 137, 16 July 1914, Page 3

N.Z. RACING CONFERENCE.

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The annual conference of delegates from New Zealand racing clubs commenced in Wellington this morning, when the following report was read by the president, Sir George Clifford: — We have, as a. melancholy prelude to the report upon the year's events, to regret the passing away of two of our colleagues long closely associated with our work. Sir Wiliam Russell was my predecessor as president of the Racing Conference, and was a conspicuous example to us of the best type of sportsman, running his horses purely for love of the pastime, and unable by nature to stoop below the highest standard in every action of his life. We shall miss the energetic assistance of Mr John M'Vay, who for 20 years has been one of our most active members, and who never spared himself in the promotion of all useful reforms and in the practical business of the conference. In conformity with the rules, I have, with the consent of the surviving delegate, appointed Mr C. D. Kennedy to fill this lamented vacancy. There have been an unusual number of appeals to the conference judges, and we have to thank Messrs J. W. Abbott, W. E. Bidwill, E. A. Campbell, C. G. Dalgety, I. G. Duncan, H. Friedlander, E. Goodbehere, G. Hunter, M.P., B. L. Lane, R. H. Nolan, C. P. Skerrett, K.C., and O. S. Watkins for the sacrifice of valuable time in the decision of the points submitted to them. The very considerable import and export of thoroughbred stock during the past twelve months indicates a strong desire on the part of breeders to. improve their studs, and also testifies to the steady increase of a trade likely from the suitability of our climate to attain still more valuable proportions. . The success- of horses exported from New Zealand has always, from Carbine downwards, been satisfactory in proportion to their numbers. In this connection a word should be given to note the death of Carbine himself from old age. An unexampled racing career placed him definitely among the few best horses of all time; his racing triumphs have been crowned by the classic victories and stud successes of his best son, Spearmint, and his memory will always be one of the proud traditions of the New Zealand turf. Non-observation of the rule compelling notification of the determination of a partnership causes no little trouble, aud very great danger of loss to the negligent owner. The same remark applies to failure to register the name proposed for a horse. Fines in these cases are compulsory, but it would be preferable if owners would spare the executive of the conference this unpleasant duty. It is desirable that racing clubs should be aware that the district provident, or, more strictly, trust funds, are available for the provision of ambulance requisites, especially for clubs at a disadvantage !in respect of finance. These funds are not decreasing,-and their respective assets are ascertainable from the audited ac- ( counts placed before you each year. The .system oi stipendiary stewards has well stood the further test to which it has been submitted. It is, of course, open to contentious possibilities, but we have been exceptionally fortunate in securing capable officers, and may congratulate ourselves on having gained manifest advantages with a minimum of friction. The absence of any serious revelation of malpractice is a silent tribute to the general healthiness of the sport. If it be asked where, under these circumstances, the benefit conies in, I would answer that the standard of excellence all round has been almost unconsciously raided whether ! ia regard to the equipment of courses, I the conduct of those professionally chit ! ployed, or the special care of all con- ' cerned to avoid every suspicion of compromising incidents. The fact that '' a duel's ainang ye taking notes," and, moreover, "a cliiel" who travels along the whole line and has power to make his presence felt, produces more consequeuces than the public or perhaps the chiel" himself is cognisant of. The position of New Zealand iti the world of racing is absolutely unique. Elsewhere the bookmakers are an acknowledged part of the machine. They are variously regulated aud restrained, but influence through many channels the conduct of the sport. Here they are barred from our courses, their dealings are unacknowledged and mostly illegal, but the remnant of their influence is undeniably pernicious. The privilege conceded to the racing clubs of using the totalisator implies a duty on our part to exert ourselves strenuously to curtail illicit operations, and to minimise in this and every other respect whatever may tend to impair the coufider.ce of the public in the purity of racing. You cannot hunt with the hare aud run with the ltouuds, and 1 have no sympathy with those who accept from the Legislature the benefits of* the totalizator ' and shatter what is, at any rate, the spirit of the law by trafficking with the bookmakers. Sportsmanlike owners realise that danger of outside interference with their chances of success, which is the natural outcome of heavy betting; mercenary ones may well be saved from the delusive puisuit of an imaginary road to fortune. If the New Zealand rules can be altered to debar owners as welt as trainers aud jockeys from speculating outside the totalisator, it will achieve the ambition of this conference by giving racing an elevation which we can, without presumption, claim as an example to the world. Ia return, the Legislature might 'well remove vexatious or ridiculous fetters, such as the undue limitation of permits in this scattered community; the curious refusal to allow publication of storting prices extending even to the odds quoted about an English Derby winner; and the illegality of forwarding investments for the totalisator to secretaries of clubs.

The unthinking are apt to regard the volume of totalizator investments as an evil. We, on the contrary hail it as a tribute to the excellence of the sport and to public confidence in its improved cleanliness. It further testifies that we have succeeded in withdrawing speculation from less innocent channels. "Gambling" is the 'catchword of our opponents. Those who use it so flippantly should be compelled to define it, and which of them would fail to be entangled in the net of his own definition if he makes it wide enough to catch us. I will give /bu mine. A ''gambler" is one who unjustifiably squanders money or time which his duty binds him to spend otherwise. Assuming that a man has made provision for his just debts and all proper comforts for his depend ents, how can he do better than give himself and his family the wholesome open-air relaxation of the racecourse? Why ie his modest venture upon the totalisator a woret? act than his previous day's purchase of an ox or an ass, tin re-sell at a profit? Is' it as bad an the continuous excitement of the rise and fait of stocks and shares, or the preva-

Ifmt bartering and exchange of properties at inflated values? In truth, the average investor on the totalizator is not gambling in any truo sense of the word. He is enjoying a "healthful mental and physical recreation, which sends him back to the work of the world a more useful citizen. Men may err in excess in this, as iti every imaginable pleasure, but the negligible minority who do so are rather restrained than encouraged by the very nature of the totalisator. Let the next man who slanders us as gamblers start off by telling us the exact meaning he attaches to the word. The largoly increasing attendance at race meetings further attests the growing popularity of racing as at present conducted in the Dominion. This appreciation ia largely founded on the confidence created by the continuous policy of the conference, and it rests with us—-the law-makers of the noblest recreation of the people, the enjoyment of which is free to all —to be true to our trust by purging it of every unworthy element, and attracting to it the unstinted support of all honourable men. RACING DATES. Prr,ts Association. WELLINGTON, July 15. The Racing Conference Dates' Committee reported that they had approved dates for race meetings subject to the following exceptions:—Otaki Maori Racing Club to be granted September 28 and 29; South Canterbury Jockey Club, October 15 and 17, and April 15 and 17; Auckland Racing Club, December 26 and 29, and January 1 and 2; Gore Racing Club, March 10 and 11 ton Racing Club, March 18 and 19; Marlborough Racing Club's dates to remain May 5 and 6as at present. The Gisborne Racing Club's objection to the Napier Park Racing Club's June dates was not upheld.