Conference comes under criticism

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33694, 18 November 1974, Page 9

Conference comes under criticism

A claim that the Trotting Conference as at present constituted hampered efficient and progressive administration was made last night by the president (Mr P. T. Binnie) at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Standardbred Breeders’ Association.

“The conference repre-ii sents only one side of thisj ive.it enterprise and as such i cannot hope to have a thorough knowledge of all: aspects of the problems' ibesetting us today,’’ he said. “The majority of those participating and contrib-! 1 (uting officially have no say 1 !in the administration what-'' | soever, and it concerns me; 1 'particularly that their dicta- 1 Itorial attitude has been !allowed to persist for so’ 'long. “Surely it is the right of: ;our kindred associations to' (have some direct representaition on the executive of the (conference and so take part in all discussions that concern our industry. It is par- t ticularly galling to have tor accept without question i legislation that affects then livelihood of those directly!: involved in trotting when!' this legislation is framed by, people, some of whom have |. no financial, but only a' social, stake in the future of; trotting,” Mr Binnie said. i It was a sad fact that ap large percentage of stock have no qualifications!' and these were being bred!' from, he added. “The main problem we| face today has been of ourlj own making and the confer- i ence can be largely held re-!j sponsible. ) “Although it derives soj, much of its revenue fromh

the breeding industry — 40 per cent — it treats it with ignore and it does not seem ;to worry the conscience of the administrating officials that this situation continues. Perhaps things would improve rapidly if we, the par(ticipants, .started to legislate ;on matters relevant to the very trotting clut.i that at the moment control our future,” concluded Mr Binnie. ,