SATURDAY RACE MEETINGS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25180, 10 May 1947, Page 3

SATURDAY RACE MEETINGS

effect on other SPORTS midweek racing FAVOURED A return to mid-week racing to avoid clashes with other sports was favoured by the Canterbury Rugby Football Union and the Canterbury Cricket Association. This was stated to the Royal Commission on Gaming and Racing yesterday by Mr J. K. Moloney, who appeared for both organisations. The union was not critical of trotting and galloping, and did not join issue on the question of ideals, if any, that were at stake. Mr Moloney said. Rugby football was a sport carried on for the benefit of the youth of the community. It might be said that an amateur game laid itself open to a charge of being mercenary, but a game of such scope as Rugby football had to be administered in a businesslike manner, and therefore the executive was compelled to watch closely the business side of the game. Last season, race meetings were held in Christchurch on seven Saturdays on end. he continued. A return to the pre-war arrangement where a week of racing was held in August and another in November was considered highly desirable. Th® union controlled a large number of players, and there were 156 teams in the competition las* season. r n the secondary schools’ competition there were 97 teams, and in the primary schools’ contest 60. Healthy competition was provided for ployers, and the union did not have to propose a minimum of seven stone. When races were held numerous players preferred to attend the race meetings. Numbers of teams went short, and there were 30 defaults last season. It was mainly youths who were attracted to races, but many referees had jobs on the totalisator. The union also objected to outside trotting and racing clubs 'holding their meetings in Christchurch. Mr Moloney added. “We are a true sport—the game for the game's sake,” he concluded. “We consider that no influence which can be controlled should be allowed to interfere with a sport that is for the physical and mental well-being of the young people of the country.” Importance of Production William Edward James Maxwell, immediate past president of the union, when questioned by Mr C. S. Thomas, counsel for the New Zealand Trotting Conference, said he realised that production was of supreme importance in New Zealand. He also agreed that the administrators of trotting and racing were sympathetic to the sport of Rugby football. Mr Thomas: Do you agree that today every sport must stand on its own feet? Witness: That is so. The chairman (Mr Justice Finlay) asked Mr Thomas whether he did not think the State should throw its weight into supporting the Rugby Union, which was developing young men in a healthy -sport. A member of the commission (Mr J. W. Heenan) said that the State was giving support to Rugby football at present. After further discussion, Mr Heenan said: “Aren’t we beating about the bush? Is not the effect of the Rugby Union’s case that gates are affected?” Mr Moloney: Gates and players. The Cricket Association supported the contention of the Rugby Union that the volume of Saturday racing was detrimental to the male youths of New Zealand, said Robert Henry North, president of the association. Young men leaving school, who, under normal racing conditions, would play cricket, were lured by the excitement of Saturday racing and betting away from athletic games and pastimes beneficial to their physical and moral welfare. Ths association had sent a letter to the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr. W. E. Parry) last November, said Mr North. Mr Heenan, Under-Secretary to the Minister, had replied that it was regretted that while conditions remained as they were racing must be confined to Saturday and public holidays. The effect of frequent Saturday race meetings on other sports was realised, but the time was not opportune for a return to mid-week racing. Mr North told the commission that graae cricket matches were started at 10.30 a.m. on Saturdays. Mr Heenan asked whether Rugby football could be played in the mornings. “Oh. leave them at home to do the lawn for the old man and the chores for mother.” said the chairman amidst laughter. One of the effects of the five-day week seemed to be that people did not get up on Saturday mornings, said Mr Moloney.