‘Sad day for racing’

Press, 27 February 1986, Page 32

‘Sad day for racing’

“A sad day for the New Zealand racing industry” was the reaction of the Trotting Conference’s chief executive officer, Mr lan Mill, to news that the bill providing for the introduction of . Lotto would be co-sponsored, by the Minister responsible for the racing industry, Dr Peter Tapsell. “The Minister and all members of Parliament have been made patently aware of the serious financial effect Lotto has had on the racing industry in Australia, Canada, and the United States of America, and despite reports in the media that a significant number of parliamentarians are opposed to Lotto’s introduction, we now read that our own Minister is to be cosponsor of the proposed

legislation,” said Mr Mill. “The racing industry supports the need for additional sports funding in New Zealand but does not believe the Government should shirk its responsibilities in this area by jeopardising the viability of the racing industry. Alternative: funding sources have been suggested to Government which would not be to the financial detriment of our industry, would not raise the profile of gambling in this country, and which would not necessarily reduce Government income from taxation in the longer term.” “I trust that when this matter becomes a conscience vote more consideration will be given to those suggestions,” he said.