TROTTING DATES

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 269, 9 August 1943, Page 6

TROTTING DATES

President’s Plea For Increase Dominion Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH. August 6. A strong plea for more days tor trotting clubs to race on was made by Mr. 11. F Nieoll, the president, when addressing delegates at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Conference today. “When we turn to our sport, which is receiving such remarkable favour from the public, as well as from the many thousands of men in uniform, we find a situation tliat establishes beyond doubt the necessity for providing opportunities for race meetings on all Saturdays aud holidays.” said Mr. Nicoll. “That this racing Is an indispensable factor in their way of life is not only clearly revealed bv the vast crowds, in this country, that have attended the drastically curtailed number of meetings held during the past year, but by all members of the services, both here and overseas, who have demonstrated in all theatres, their enthusiasm for a day's relaxation from the routine and monotony of camp life. . “In an extract from the N.Z.E.F. official war service cable of March 31 last, wo read: ‘The New Zealanders in the Middle East have not lost their love tor horse racing. At the second meeting there were nine events, and it was attended by Lady Freyberg as well as sisters, w.A.A.C.’s, aud English and Allied soldiers. The course, which is on sand, is well appointed. The meeting was controlled in conformity with racing and totalizator rules. The riders included many pre-war jockeys.’ “More recently an editorial published tn a service journal in New Caledonia said: ’■New Zealanders segregated by circumstances of war in an environment unfamiliar and not overkind, in the short time they have been here and in the intervals of their rigorous training, which is their "raison d’etre,” have managed to superimpose on their environment another and more important one. We have brought Into being that sporting world without which we are incomplete, and which provides a social as well as physical outlet and incidentally bring,, with it a small change of conversation, which is in itself a tonic to most of us.’

“That in England the King continues to race his horses as freely as before the war, and has delighted tbe'people with his successes and with his and the Queen's attendance at the races, is well known to you all. It is also a significant fact that the Australian Government has relaxed the restrictions upon racing. Surely the position Is even more favourable in this Dominion for a like measure?” Mr. Nicoll added that it wa« not for want of trying that limy had not been able to assist those qlubs who had lost thei,- days. The conference had interviewed and written to the authorities for reconsideration of the position, only asking that they should be allowed to race on Saturday's and holidays, but so far without success.

“I must repeat what 1 said last year,” said Mr. Nicoll, “that in the very anxious days Cabinet were living through 15 months ago they were unable to give the matter of the 'racing question sufficient time lo make inquiry and to analyse properly the position, otherwise they Would hot have reduced ns to 40 days in the 12 months. We still hope that we may be able to Induce the War Cabinet to look into the question again, especially today when the immediate danger of the Invasion of our shores appears to have been lifted, and the outlook generally is so much brighter for the Allied forces. “The Government is actively campaign lug against Ute causes of Inflation, particularly of the danger of so much money being In circulation. Here is an outlet tor the abundance, which gives the Government an endless chain of revenue, costs nothing to collect—-in fact, is offered on a plate by a large public who aro thereby curtailing thoir.own spending power, and competition in the demand for goods, which is the biggest factor causing rising prices. "Tlie totalizator turnover lias had no detrimental effect upon the public's subscriptions, as is made evident bv the wonderful success of the £35,000,001) war loan which lias so recently been considerably oversubscribed. 'These are well-grounded realities, which should commend our appeal for a reconsideration of the question of the drastic curtailment of our sport to the favourable notice of the War Cabinet. "Hard times demand hard anq logical thinking, and this 1« our primary necessity under present cireutnstances. There must be a fundamental content through the period of strain and storm, and that can be obtained only by tolerance and justice. The Insistence on work and sacrifice Is right and proper, but common sense demands that all should be allowed the opportunity, during their spare hours, to enjoy that form of recreation which is .best suited to their temperament and environment.”