RACING AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2479, 4 June 1915, Page 9

RACING AND THE WAR

<, TROTTING ASSOCIATION DISCUSSION. (Bj Telescanh.—Press Association.) Chrlstcfrurch, June 2. Referring at tbe New Zealand Trotting Association meeting this afternoon to the present crisis in national affairs, tho president (Mr. P. Selig) said they must all recognise that they ivere fighting for their very existence, and since the operations in the Dardanelles tho war had come home very uuich closer to them than it had before. Tho question had been raised whether, under circumstances, trotting should be encouraged on tho same scalo as in the past. They wanted men, and there was no doubt that all. who could go should go, and those who were unable to go to the front should help, as they wero all doing, in any other way possible. If curtailment of the sport would release a number of men who could otherwise go, tho question was one that should be considered by those concerned. The greatness of the feat that had been performed by the New Zealand and Australian Forces had "been recognised by the best of critics. 'Among those who had fallen there were very many sportsmen. Ho moved : "That the members of tlie association desire to convey their profound sympathy to the relatives of those New Zealanders who have so heroically fallen in the service of their Kin" at the Dardanelles and elsewhere in the theatre of war." Mr. H. F. Nicoll said that some of the president's remarks called for further consideration. If any .sport, whether, racing or trotting, kopt men from volunteering, thero was 110 question whatever it ought to be put aside. Thoy had not yet reached that state, for they had the statement of the Prime Minister and the Minister of Defence that the supply of men- so far was satisfactory. With reference to the operations in tho Dardanelles, tho work of the British and French Forces should also be recognised. I . The motion was then put and carried in silence, members standing.