TAXATION PROTEST

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30530, 27 August 1964, Page 4

TAXATION PROTEST

Good Year But Returns Poor

New Zealand was one of the few countries in which the Government used the sport of horse-racing for balancing its budget, said Mr J. H. Grigg at the annual meeting of the Ashburton County Racing Club yesterday. He said the crushing taxation imposed by the Government was taxing the sport out of existence. Mr Grigg said it was most disappointing to see the financial result after a good year’s racing. “Our position is. entirely due to the crushing taxation which the Government imposes.” Mr Grigg referred to the financial report which showed that the club had paid out £9925 in stakes in the year ending July 20, and had paid £16,758 to the Government. The club showed a loss of £1202 for the year. “It is quite unreasonable that" the Government should tax the sport of racing in this crushing way. We are one of the few countries in which the Government uses the sport to balance its budget,” said Mr Grigg. Concern was expressed at the action, of the Christchurch Trotting Club in arranging a non-totalisator meeting this Saturday, after the Ashburton club been granted Saturday for its meeting. Mr Mulligan said it was quite wrong, when the date had already been allocated to the Ashburton club, for the Christchurch club to arrange a meeting which clashed with this fixture.

Mr W. R. Lemon suggested that the club send a letter of protest to the Christchurch club. It was decided to refer the matter to the club’s committee for further consideration.

Appreciation of Mr Mulligan’s long service to the club was expressed at the meeting. Mr Mulligan did not seek reelection to the post of chairman. a position which he has held for the last 18 years. Officers elected were: President, Mr J. H. Grigg: vicepresident, Mr R. J. Mulligan; chairman of committee, Mr W. R. Lemon; treasurer, Mr N. R. Farrant. Good Schooling By Barwood The Riccarton trainer, J. L. Barr, will saddle one capable jumper for the Longbeach Hack Hurdles at Ashburton on Saturday. But after a schooling bout at Riccarton yesterday he must have regretted that he will not be saddling two. Barwood, a comparative novice in this role, surprised when he outpaced and outjumped his more experienced stablemate, William David, in a schooling run over two. standard hurdles. But Barwood will not represent the stable at Ashburton. There are no immediate plans for this Jimmy Flash gelding’s debut over hurdles. The Barr colours at Ashburton will be carried by William David, a minor placegetter in eight of his nine hurdle races on his present campaign. Barwood was ridden in yesterday’s school by the stable apprentice, A. Martin, and William David had his racerider, K. W.- Quayle, up. Second At Del Mar

The New Zealand-bred Final Command is getting closer to that first win in the United States. He earned 4000 dollars with a second to Native Diver in the San Diego Handicap at Del Mar earlier this month. Final Command’s conqueror was Native Diver, a previous winner of the race, and winner of 15 stakes races in California. He had also been third in the Hollywood Gold Cup not long before.• Final Command was one of the fastest finishers in the eight and a half furlongs race, but was beaten by four and a half lengths.