TROTTING Interest In Trotting Conference Election

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31981, 7 May 1969, Page 5

TROTTING Interest In Trotting Conference Election

The possible composition of the executive of the New Zealand Trotting Conference for 1969-70 is the subject of much conjecture at the moment.

The final field to face voting by clubs will not be known until nominations close on May 20; and several side issues are also arousing considerable discussion. The president of the conference (Mr A. J. Nicoll), of Ashburton, is not seeking reelection after four years in office, and 14 years on the executive. Mr R. J. Rolfe, of Thames, who has been North Island vice-president for several years, will succeed Mr Nicoll. Some months ago there was a suggestion that Mr Rolfe would not secure office unopposed, but the chances of an election for this position seem most remote. Mr Rolfe has been on the executive since 1950. ,

Mr R. Lewis, of Auckland, a member of thf executive since 1957, is expected to be unopposed in his quest to succeed Mr Rolfe. Mr 0. Hutchinson, of Christchurch, the longest-serving member of the executive—he was elected honorary treasurer in 1947 and more recently South Island vice-presi-dent-will probably be unopposed for the latter position.

Mr J. G. Barnes, of Dunedin, Mr H. J. Hewson, of Kaikoura, and Mr A. E. laiing, of Christchurch, are retiring South Island members of the executive. Ail are expected to seek re-election. Mr Hewson has been on the executive since 1957 and on most occasions he has topped the voting. Mr Laing was appointed to fill a vacancy in 1965, and Mr Barnes was similarly appointed in 1966. One Candidate An election will be necessary again this year. So far only one person, Mr 1. Langford, of Oxford, president of the Rangiora Trotting Club, has been announced as a candidate. Like many skilled club administrators before, Mr Langford is expected to find that it is almost impos-

sible to unseat a sitting member, although it is considered that the executive needs a strong infusion of new members.

The promotion of Mr Lewis to the position of North Island vice-president will result in one new member of the executive from the north. The other retiring member is Mr V- C. McPhail, of Wellington, who has been on the executive since 1959. Mr L. J. Rutherford, of Whangarei, has been nominated for the other seat. The Waikato dub is also expected to have a runner, and one of two others have been freely mentioned as possible candidates. But Mr Rutherford is, at this stage, favourite for the vacancy.

Mr C. E. Hoy, of Christchurch, is unlikely to be opposed for the position of treasurer.

The non-retiring South island members of the executive are Mr G. G. Cruickshank, of Invercargill, who was appointed in 1950: Mr W. A. Craddock, of Westport, in 1965; and Mr J. Corrigan, of Waimate, in 1960. Mr M. A. MacKenzie, of Hawera, who was elected in 1966; and Mr L. G. Rieger, of Palmerston North, who was first elected in 1954 retain the other two North Island seats on the executive. Mr Rieger was defeated at the 1966 elections, but he was successful in the elections 12 months ago. Age Limit There has been growing dissatisfaction with the methods of electing conference officers, and it is expected that changes will be made in the next few years. While it is accepted that no members of the executive receive payment for their attendance at the five or six meetings held each year, most agree that the fringe benefits are not inconsiderable, especially if appointment to the Totalisator Agency Board can be obtained. Members of the board re--1 ceive 8600 a year, and the i chairman $BOO. The board

meets four or five times a year. It has long been claimed that too few clubs take elections seriously and vote to return retiring members seeking re-election without giving regard to whether these men have made worth-while efforts in the interests of trotting. Results of elections over 20 years tend tp confirm this contention.

In an effort to stop election to the executive becoming a “life” term, it has been suggested that a remit proposing an age limit will be brought forward either this year or next.

In some quarters it has been suggested that the age limit should be 65, in others 70. If the former limit was imposed, a fairly, large number of members would have to resign, and it would probably be more realistic to adopt 70 as the limit in the meantime.

Another remit expected to come up for consideration at this year’s annual meeting of the conference in Rotorua in July is the creation of the position of immediate pastpresident. Whether such a post is necessary is extremely doubtful and there is fairly strong opposition to the suggestion. Some clubs are expected to offer determined opposition to any such remit and its chances of success cannot be taken as a foregone conclusion.