MORE TIME BETWEEN RACES?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 306, 26 December 1936, Page 8

MORE TIME BETWEEN RACES?

Does the race-going public want more time allowed between races, 1 or less? ■ The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, has decreed , that all future trotting programmes shall provide for an interval of 40 minutes between races, and he has overridden the ! Trotting Conference, which prescribes an interval of 3o minutes. This clash bet-ween the Minister and the Conference raises other, questions, which need not be discussed at this time; but the only really important question is whether the Minister is reflecting. the wishes of the- people, Avithout whom racing could not be carried on. It may be that on a public holiday racegoers are careless of time, and that the majority aie willing to set out for a race meeting before midday, and to return home from it at dusk; but the majority of race days in this country are not public holidays. Most racegoers have no more than half a day to spend, and there is undoubtedly a strong opinion among them that the time between races should be shorter, and not longer. At Eandwick, although there are only six races, the time between races is shorter than in New Zealand, and the programme is completed in less than foui hours. Such an arrangement evidently subs the public tl-ere. It also suits the- horses, which eanter directly to the starting P ost > while in New Zealand they have more time to "kill"' than is good for them, especially the highly-strung performers. The only reason commonly heard for allowing a long - time between races is that, **the public, must be allowed time to bet." The public will take just as much time, or as little, as the lacing club .allows it. But it should be remembered that although racing is run for the pleasure of the public, the Government is the greatest beneficiary, and the longer the totalisator remains open the more the Taxation Depaitment is likely to profit. Has Mr. Parry been influenced solely by consideration for tho public, or is his principal; motive a desire to help his! colleague Mr. Nash?