THE RACING COMMISSION.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14407, 15 July 1912, Page 8

THE RACING COMMISSION.

(SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") AUCKLAND, July 13. Tho Hon. W. F. Massoy's opinion that the Rangitikei Racing Club's extinction was prooi of the fact that the Racing Commission had mado mistakes was commented on today by Mr John Rowe, one of tho memoirs of tho Commission. In the report submitted by the Commission to Parliament last year, it was made very plain,' he said, that no real need existed for the curtailment of tho number of racing days in Now Zealand. The Commission was strongly of the opinion that when the scattered nature of tho country's population was taken into consideration, there were not too many racing daye. Sinco the Commission had to reduce the number, however, then went about it to the beat of •their ability. The Rangitikei Club rtoas cut out because it was quite close to both Wanganui and Morton, and was without railway connection with other centres. Tho appointments wero also far from being up ■to the mark; and it was accordingly felt that the club was one which should be wiped right out. Tho Commission did net como hurriedly to this decision, and personally Mr Rowe was convinced that proper action was taken under the circumstances. It was only natural that- the Commission should havo besn guided by such considerations as theso. Tho Taieri Club suffered in the samo way, because it was practically a proprietary club, and the same consideration had guided them in dealing as they did with the Christchurch Racing Club, which was run undor proprietary conditions and was not to be confused with the Canterbury Jockey Club. Other country clubs had pasEed out directly as tho result of those clauses in tho Gaming Act which had abolished the bookmakor and had so robbed the club 3of their means of revenue, sinco they had never bo-n granted totalisator permits. Waihi and Rotorua had both had to pay the penalty of being stands or satisfactory, appointments, and wherever the Commission found a club making no attempt to conduct its affairs. in a thoroughly satisfactory maimer, the pruning knife was used. If Rangitikei was given back its permit it would presumably bo at tho expenso of Wanganui or Morton, and no doubt other - places would be encouraged by the success of the Rangitikei Club to appeal against the Commisrecommendations, Mr Rowo further .ventured the opinion* that there waa not much likelihood ..of any immediate amendment in Now Zealand gaming legislation.