Racing clubs need tax relief

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33933, 28 August 1975, Page 8

Racing clubs need tax relief

The question of fixation on racing clubs must be given priority in any talks between the Government and the Racing Conference so that the clubs might gain some overdue relief the chairman of th* Ashburton Racing Club Mr C. R G. Woodham said at the club's annual meeting last night ’Tne Minister of Sport 'Mr J. ■Vaiding* has made cash grants »> numerous sports bodies but a- never made a searching nqum into the racing ctub. one >f tnc greatest bodies •' unpaid tax collectors in Nev “One would expect a more Mnparhetir attitude from the iove.nment. with national blood took sales producing top-quality nrses of both codes.” said Mr Voodham. "The horses are mown throughout the world, ringing in much-needed overLOSS OF $4416 Our loss for last 'ear imounted to $4416. What action .* necessarx before the Governnent becomes aware of the rac-

ing chib's plight?” he said. The; Ashburton County Racing Club* had trimmed expenses to the{ • bare bone.” resulting in race-i day expenses being down on last year’s bx 16.36 per cent. mainte-| nance by 4.25 per cent, telephone, and toll calls by 10.95 per cent. Mr Woodham said that the expenses that he had no control: over had risen: taxes were up ! b> 15.43 per cent, salaries and wages by 12.13 per cent, and Having Conference levies by! 25 90 per cent Fifty-nine racing clubs in Neu i Zealand bad shown losses' totalling $4-0.583. Since 1966 the profit from off-course bettinci had increased 117 per cent and the deduction in taxes by 263 per cent In the recent storm the root; was blown off four horse boxes’ in the racing stables and the bay: barn was demolished. The; grounds of the Ashburton course suffered considerable damage. The top and bottom plantations suffered most and: the three course-patrol stands were demolished These will be rebuilt »n time for the Septem-. h*»r meeting