T.A.B. To Keep Open Uneconomic Agencies

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31500, 14 October 1967, Page 44

T.A.B. To Keep Open Uneconomic Agencies

(New Zealand Nreee AeeociaUon)

WELLINGTON, October 13. Under threat of Government action the Totalisator Agency Board has agreed not to dose any uneconomic agencies.

This was announced today by the newly* elected chairman of the board (Mr A. J. Nicoll, of Christchurch).

Amendment Act (1953), if uneconomic agencies wen closed. The T.A.B. has 295 agencies and 26 branch offices, and says that it runs mon than 25 per cent of its agencies at a loss. The board wanted to close 55 agencies. Mr Nicoll said that the board wished only to close

Mr Nicoll Mid that the Government had threatened to take action under the Gaming

certain uneconomic agencies in an attempt to offset heavy losses being faced by racing and trotting clubs. ■ TIMES UNCHANGED The board would not ask for Government permission to run separate pools for all betting, said Mr Nicoll. This meant that elosing times for betting would not be ehanged. Proposals to use a computer had been found uneconomic, he said. . The Government had approved in principle a variation in the present method of running the dally TAB. double to permit it to bo conducted on a concession basis. The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) had said that the Gaming Amendment Act (1953) provided that the Government, by regulation, could arrange for provisions to regulate the establishment and conduct of totalisator agencies, said Mr Nicoll. "Mr Seath also said that no regulations under this act had been made in the past as it was considered this would not be necessary in view of the very high standard of service given by the board, the obvious public confidence in - the working of the scheme, and the responsible attitude ' of the board.** Mr Seath bad said that the i Government still wished to t avoid controlling the board's I freedom of activity to manage I off-course betting. But he had said that if uneconomic agencies were i closed, the Government might , be forced to bring in suitable i regulations to combat the un- ; desirability of reducing the ! legal off-course betting ser- . vice, said Mr Nicoll. HELP SUGGESTED 1 The Government taxed bet- ' ting revenue heavily but had ' done little to help dubs to 1 weather the present financial ’ storm, Mr Nicoll Mid. In view of the board’s will- ' ingneu to continue uneco- ’ nomlc agencies, any Government action to reduce taxation would represent an I equitable solution. I The Government was in the I fortunate position of roeeiv- ■ Ing a continually increasing amount from racing taxation, . but did not have to contrii buto to the • evewintroaeing i costs of conducting the spelt, i said Mr NieotL J - was made after consideration - of objections from dubs end in the press. ’ Those against file scheme considered the disadvantages of separate dividends on and off-coufte outweighed any advintigOe of later dosing, MrMcnnsaid. Government approval to T A IL doubles deproded on all dubs using, the mstem. The exMUttoenf the Trotting Conference favoured the scheme but come radng dubs did ndtr,snd the roles of radng could net be amended atpeyet