THE RACING YEAR

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 10, 11 July 1930, Page 11

THE RACING YEAR

TAXATION SYSTEM

VICE-PRESIDENT'S REVIEW

"By the death of Sir George Clifford we have sustained an irreparable loss, the loss of a man who for thirty-four years'as president of this conference devoted himself to the task of raising tho character and status of racing in this Dominion," said Mr. O. S. Watkins, the vice-president of tho Racing Conference, in his annual report to-day. "We shall miss his wise foresight, his counsel, and his great administrative ability. Those of us who remember the conditions existing on the Turf many years ago realised the urgent need for 'reform. The future historian will say that with the need for reform there came the man—Sir George Clifford. "By the decease of Messrs. S. Bradley, C. E. Elgar, J. B. Reid, J. I-1. Reid, John Marshall, E. R. Guinness, P. Miller, T. E. Upton, It. Allen, and O. It. Wise- wo have lost staunch supporters of racing iu this Dominion, not only as breeders and racehorse owners, but also for tho voluntary and valuable services rendered by them from time to time as representatives on this conference, and as stewards and members of committees of racing clubs. During the season .just drawing to a close there have also passed away Messrs. J. M. Johnston, 11. L. James, W. Hall, and T. Quealy, who for long periods as secretaries of clubs they represented rendered signal service to the sport. "We have to thank Messrs. 11. O. Nolan. .T. J-l. Perron, and W. M'A. Duncan fur their servivs in in-tiny; :n

judges on appeals lodged with the conference. . It is pleasing to record that during tho year only two appeals were dealt with by conference judges; this suggests that'the administration of: racing in thifi Dominion is satisfactory, and has the confidence of the great majority of those concerned in the sport. "In February of this year the United Press Association, Ltd., of New Zealand, celebra/ted its jubilee. t The late president sent the following message:—'l desire, on Jjehalf of the New Zealand Racing Conference, to convey to the members of tho association hearty congratulations on the attainment of its jubilee, and to express high appreciation of the reliable and enterprising service which the association daily renders to the Dominion.'

"Volume XI. of the New Zealand Stud Book will be published this month. It will be the most complete record of the thoroughbred stock of the Dominion that we have yet had, and I think it fitting at this meeting to record my appreciation of the, whole-hearted zeal with which Mr. A.'H. Bristol has accomplished a difficult task. He,, however, is not content, as ho believes there are still some thoroughbred mares whose foaling records he has been unable to obtain. To me, too, it seems that tho late president's repeated appeals to owners or! brood mares to make complete returns have failed to elicit response from a considerable number of breeders. With support from the conferonco granted, the compiler would find his labours lessened, and the Stud Book would contain a more complete record than is possible under present conditions. LICENSING AND OFFICIALS. "I am pleased to state that the work of the Licensing Committee meets with general approval./ It is tho desire of the majority of trainers and riders.to maintain the tone of their professions on a high level. They appreciate the determination of the Licensing Committoo to insist that all should conform to Iho required standard. The stipondiary stewards continue to render valuable assistance 'to local officials. The work of the racecourse inspectors is producing gratifying results. This year we have added to their duties by requiring them to inspect and report upon all registered apprentices, with a view to ascertain full details of each lad's character, general habits, riding tuition received, lodging, etc. The employers have expressed hearty approval of tho innovation. I suggest that owners and licensed trainers should inquire more carefully into the character and suitability * of persons before employing them in their racing establishments.

"The trustees of the accident fund view with grave apprehension the largo number of claims presented during the year, many of them, I am afraid, attributable to careless or incompetent riding. I am of opinion the penalties imposed for foul or careless riding should lie sufficiently'severe to bring home to the culprit the gravity of his offence, and act as a deterrent in future. It is hoped some practical scheme may be evolved whereby the tuition of apprentices can bo made more effective.-

"The sub-committee, dealing with the revision of the Rules of Racing, reports that tho work could not be completed in time to. be dealt with at. this year's annual conference. It is hoped the revision will be ready.before Christmas, and it is proposed to call a special meeting of the Conference early in 19311 to consider the revised Rules, which , would come into operation on tho Ist ] August, 1931, thus giving time to all concerned to become familiar *witl> them. Tho revision would first bo circulated, and any club desiring to suggest any alteration would be aske.il In forward particulars to the secretary of tho Conference, to place before the weeeutivc committee to decide whether tho alteration should be made, or placed before the Conference for its consideration. By this method a great deal of time would be saved at the meeting of tho Conference called to adopt, or .•imend, as the case may be, the revised ■Rules. TAXATION AND GAMING LAWS. "It is customary to give the amounts of the various taxes paid during tho present and previous seasons, and the figures are as follows:: — 1925-28. 1029-30. £ s. (I. Ji s. a. Tolnlisator tax (2'/i 1».C.) .. 131,328 1-4 0 122,382 S 10 Dividend tax (5 pci- cent.) .. 230,732 4 1 220/173 0 1 Stakes tas (5 per cent.) ... 20,832 G 6 18,721 " 0 Amusement tax 12,970 7]l 12,333 11 il Land tax 2,781 1G 0 2.75S ia 1 Income tax on interest .... IST 39 170 S 7 £403,091 12 a 1 377,031 .17 10 Local rates ■• £9,199 19 9 £9,000 9 4 "We have repeatedly asked for a revision of the system of racing taxation, but so far without success. 1 trust, however, that the Government may consider favourably our appeal for relief—if not at once, possibly in the near future. During the present session we trust tho Government will repeal the statute which prevents tho telegraphing of- investments on tho totalisator to clubs on race days, and prohibits the publication of dividends. The passage through Parliament of a Gaming Amendment Bill, containing these long overdue reforms sought for by tho public and by the newspapers, would be welcomed by all concerned with the welfare of our racing industry. Any stfltuto which fosters illegal betting, and creates a disrespect of th. law and its administration, should be repealed forthwith. We trust our legislators will remedy tho unpopular and absurd restrictions under which wo at present labour. ' NEW ZEALAND BLOODSTOCK'S SUCCESS. The reputation of New Zealand-bred horses in Australia has been consider' nljly enhanced by the great perform-

ances of Phar Lap, Nightmare!), and others. We have an increasing market abroad for our stock, and it if a matter for regret that our Government does nothing to assist the breeding industry in, tho manner adopted by other Governments, i.e., by way of subsidies, King's premiums, etc., etc.

"The constitution of our Conference is of an essentially democratic character—more so than in any other country I know of. All clubs are directly or indirectly represented thereon. Tho executive committee is .comprised of the president, vice-president, and one elected representative from each Metropolitan District. The committee possesses authority in certain matters heretofore vested in the president. Our Appeal Courts provide adequate protection to the individual who may, through an error of judgement, have been penalised unjustly.

"In conclusion, I desire to pay a tribute to our chief executive officers, Messrs. Sellers, Wilson, and Ward, and their associates, for the valuable services rendered by them during the year. I trust the proposal to transfer the Conference offices 'to Wellington will be adopted. It would be of material benefit to have our executive oftieois in closer collaboration than hos been possible in the past, and it would tend to expedite matters requiring prompt attention."