N.Z. Thoroughbreds 'Equals Of Any’

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31579, 17 January 1968, Page 4

N.Z. Thoroughbreds 'Equals Of Any’

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON. Although New Zealand had been slow out of the starting stall as far as horse racing was concerned, the country was now producing racing thoroughbreds equal to any, the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) said yesterday. Mr Seath said that although racing traditions in this country extended little more than a century, New Zealand had a favourable climate and fertile pastures and had been fortunate in the foresight of its breeders and racing administrators. The minister was opening th? seventh Asian Racing Conference in Wellington. Mr Seath said that horse racing had received great benefit from the interchange of ideas at earlier conferences and he was confident that the present conference would prove just as worth while. Mr Seath said the country was experiencing a temporary tightening of its general economy. This had recently been reflected in a slight reduction of totalisator turnover, he said. ‘‘Revenue from this source is of course the life blood of racing clubs and the situation will only strengthen the determination of our racing administrators to approach this problem in the light of what is best for the industry.

"I am sure that the future of racing in New Zealand is in good hands," he said. At Parliament Buildings last night the delegates were entertained at a Government reception. They were welcomed by Mr Seath on behalf of the Government and by Sir Walter Nash, on behalf of the Labour Party. Several other Ministers, including the Attorney-General (Mr Hanan), the Minister of Works (Mr Allen), and the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Talboys) attended the reception.