THE RACING COMMISSION.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17207, 26 July 1921, Page 6

THE RACING COMMISSION.

COMMENTS ON THE REPORT. AUCKLAND OPINIONS. (special to "the tress .") AUCKLAND, July 25. Some idea as to the attitude of the Otahuhu Trotting Club, which has been deprived of its four days' permits, is given in a statement by Mr H. R. Mackenzie (chairman). He said: "I am very much surprised at the report, as we pride ourselves that no club in New Zealand has conducted its meetings or business in a cleaner manner than this club. We have been holding meetings for over 30 years, and to-day are practically the third biggest club folding trotting permits in New Zealand. The commissioners, in their report, slate that they do not want to see huge sums of money spent by both trotting clubs in Auckland for one purpose. Anyone observant at the last Christmas meeting of the Auckland Racing Club at Ellerslie, could see that their accommodation was taxed to the utmost. People can well realise what will happen to Auckland's increasing population in ten years. I will predict that in ten years' time the grounds of the Auckland Trotting Club will be too small, and the present grounds or the Otahuhu Trotting Club at Mangero will be the venue of big trotting meetings. I am calling a meeting of the committee for Wednesday, to consider the matter, and then a meeting of members of the club, when our utmost endeavours will be used to protect our interests." The officials of the Avondale Jockey Club had a conference this morning to discuss the position, and a meeting of the club will be held later to decide what action will be taken. Meantime the secretary preferred not to discuss the matter. , The secretary of the Takapuna Jockey Club remarked so far as his chlb was concerned in the matter of an enquiry, they were faced with the position that their president and most responsible officer, the Hon. E.. W. Alison, M.L.C., was at present in England, and his presence would be necessary for any enquiry of the kind suggested. • . Both Auckland papers comment editoriallv on the Commission's report. The*"Herald" says:—'"The Commission appears to have done its work with complete impartiality, and wholly Jn the interests of clean sport. There wE, no doubt, be criticism* of the proposed increase of permits, but the report shows a material reduction in suburban with increases practically confined to country districts, where attractions are fewer and where the demand for racing facilities is insistent. A feature of the report is the emphasis it lays on the elimination of the proprietary element in racing and trotting clubs. These clubs exist in New Zealand, on the ground that they meet the public desire. If the business element were permitted to' enter largely into them, it is practically certain that the public taste would be more than catered for and that the regulation of racing would soon become difficult, and ultimately impossible. This is frankly recognised throughout the report. But the commissioners are somewhat weak in their criticism of the practice of farming out the totalisaton, which to be consistent with other recommendations, Bhould have been the < subject of stronger and more emphatic condemnation. The local suburban clubs have suffered con? siderablv from the # pruning knife, but even racing enthusiasts will admit that if Parliament accepts the report, as it is likely to, the racing facilities remaining; in Auckland will be abundant." The "Star" says:—"The Commission, after expressing the sound opinion at the outset that 'lt is highly undesirable, either by redistribution of licenses hitherto granted, or by the issue or additional licenses or otherwise, to ma- j terially increase the volume or totalisator betting,' actually recommends! than there are at present. The Commission defends this apparent inconsistency on the ground that the redistribution of permits among country clubs, which is proposed, will prevent the turnover increasing It bases this opinion on estimates made by a 'competent authority.' This authority is not likely to satisfy most of those who think that there are already quite enough facilities for racing and gambling. The redistribution recommendations of the Commission, including the abolition of certain clubs, -will naturally be received .with mixed feelings. We said, in our comments last year, that the public was not getting an «deqUate return for the,money it spent on racing, and that the improvement most needed was concentration of effort in districts, so as to get a smaller number of courses, but to have them better equipped, which would entail the abolition of quite a number of the poorer class of establishments. The Commission realises the force of this, for it has recommended in several cases that where there are two courses serving the same public, one be done away with, and the clubs amalgamated. In some cases, however, the courses marked down are suburban, and well equipped. Generally speaking, these recom-' mendations appear to be sound. Should the Government choose not to treat the Bill embodying the recommendations as a Tarty measure, we may' see a long and confused fight. Experience shows that in respect to the Commission's report, there is many a slip between cup and lip.'' '. , WELLINGTON VIEWS. (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS.") WELLINGTON, July 25. So far as can be judged from casual comments, the public here regard the report of the Racing Commission as a very good one, though it is expected that it will lead to a lengthy discussion and a good deal of adverse criticism in Parliament. One old Parliamentary hand told me to-day that he did not think Parliament would agree to the extra day'e racing recommended by the Commission. The "Dominion," in an editorial note, says:—"Glancing through the report or the Racing Commission, one gathers the impression that the commissioners have carried out a difficult task with impartiality and common sense. There , will, of course, be an outcry from some of the disappointed clubs. Unless the Commission had recommended the increase of totalisator permits on a wholesale scale, some were bound to go short of their desires. As it is the suggested increase is a moderate one, and the new permits have been well distributed. The position relating to the Avondale Club is distinctly unsatisfactory, and it is rather surprising, in view of the general policy, that the racing authorities have not of their own volition taken action to place the club on a more satisfactory footing. If we understand the position correctly, a club can now restrict its membership, acquire property out of $e profit it makes from the public at its race meetings and, if the members so determine, stop racing altogether and dispose of the nropertv amongst themselves. The Avondale Club, of course, has not done this, but apparently it and other clubs are in a position to do so if they desire. The Racing Commission very pro- , nerl'y stigmatises it as entirely objec- j tionable that any proprietary element, should exist in racing clubs or the courses controlled by them, and says this sort of thing should be rigorously <

eliminated. The general impression of the public, whoso patronage provides the chief source of revenue of the racing clubs, has been that the proprietary element had already been eliminated. If such is not the case, then the sooner the matter is put right the bettor it will be for the sport of horse-racing." "A BOMBSHELL TO NAPIER." (PRESS ASSOCIATION TM.IORIU.) NAPIER, July 25. The recommendation of the Racing Commission, cutting out the Napier Park Racing Club, has come na a bombshell to Napier, and is the only topio of conversation. At an emergency meeting of the Napier Park Club, held this morning, certain nction was decided on, but wa» not' disclosed.

"A FRIVOLITY." (SPECIAL TO "THE PRESS."} DUNEDIN, July 25. The "Star," on the Racing Commission's report, says:—"That a Commission should have been employed in these stern times running about the country, with all the expense involved in its enquiries, stands for a frivolity on the Government's part and on the part of legislators who approved of it, that ought to. have been impossible. It is not more racing days, but mow working days that New Zealand needs at this juncture "