FUNDS AND STAKES

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 14, 16 July 1915, Page 2

FUNDS AND STAKES

RACING RULE SUSPENDED.

Proposals for an alteration of the rules of racing to allow greater latitude to clubs in the mutter of war donations were brought before the New Zealand Racing Conference by Mr. George Hunter, M.P., yesterday. As representative of the Hawkes Bay Jockey Club, Mr. Hunter proposed an alteration to part VI., rule 3, to provide that where an amount from the totalisator is devoted exclusively to subscription in connection with war funds, the club shall not be required to make up the full amount in the stakes for the following year. On the suggestion of the president, Mr. Hunter agreed to put his proposal in the form of a motion instead of an amendment to the rules. He moved — " That, notwithstanding the provisions of part VI. , rule 3, a club may, during the racing year from Ist August next until 31st July, 1916, devote the whole or any part of the net amount derived from the use of the totalisator during the previous year to any war or patriotic fund, and any moneys so devoted shall not be included in the net amount referred to in the rule." Mr. M. M'Lean (Auckland Racing Club) opposed the resolution, since it penalised owners only. If clubs wished to make donations they should give from their profits. Mi-. W. F. M. Buckley (Canterbury Jockey Club) adopted the Game view. Mr. E. W. Alison (Auckland district) said some opportunity should be given to the smaller clubs to devote ■ their funds to patriotic purposes if they so desired. The motion was passed by 28 votes to 6.