GOVERNMENT'S RACING PROFITS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1213, 23 August 1911, Page 4

GOVERNMENT'S RACING PROFITS.

COULD A. AND'P. SOCIETIES SHAKE? HJy TeJegrapli.-Special 'Correspondent.! Palmcrston, August 22. At the A. -and P. Association Committee meeting to-day the main interest centred in Mr. J. M. Johnston's motion to ask tho Government to devote part of its revenue from racing to A. and P. SocietiesMr. Johnston pointed out that therewcro between SO and 90 societies, whose membership totalled about 30,0(10. The Government had novcr subsidised any association, and if it gave a grant of 10s. for every .£1 collected in members' subscriptions it would mean a grant, of .£15,000. This would not be a greatamount for a subsidy to A. and P- Societies, whose expenses were enormous. The Government this year would receive between XIO,OOO and .£50.000 from racing. The, Auckland Pacing C'iub, for instance, paid JJ.3000 under the increased taxation, and Mauawatu .C7OO. Mr. Johnston said that the money could bo devoted to encouraging thoroughbred horses free from hereditary disease, and the prizes could also be an incentive ta breeding gcod cross-country horses and remounts. Mr. Johnston mentioned tho Government subsidies received by associations at Homo, and in Europe, Australia, and tho Stales. He proposed that th«subsidy should be on a membership basis. Mr. K- S. Abraham seconded tho motion, and spoko in support of it. Mr. Ilodilor pointed out that though -mall associations were a menace to (ho larger bodies (hev would benefit by the proposal. He thought (hat. the larger shows onlv should be subsidised. The president (Mr. Conway) though! tlntthe proposal would moan "everlasting life to tho tole."

'J'ho motion was carried on the casting vole of tho chairman, against tho following amendment, moved by Mr. Cohen:— "That the eoi.uniltee affirm the principle outlined in Mr. .lohnslon's motion re Oovernmeiit grant for improving (he breed of horses, but I lull further operations be delayed pending notification ns to the f;i(e of the proposal of the A. and P. Conierenee urging the fornialion and Government recognition of a Jioyal A. and l\ Society, and that this oonimiUoc i-, further of opinion that such giant e.in lie iuo-1 mi it ably administered through the piopoiod Koyal A. and I'. Society."