THE "TOTE" TAX

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 32, 6 August 1930, Page 10

THE "TOTE" TAX

NOT UNSYMPATHETIC

GOVERNMENT'S ATTITUDE

The proposed changes in the totalisator tax were discussed by the Minister of Liternul Affairs (tho Hon. P. A. do la Perrellc) in 'an interview to-day. The • Minister declared that an effort was lacing made to mislead racing people seriously not only in regard 'to the extent of the increase, but also the Government's attitude) towards the racing clubs. "I find tho lleforin candidate for Invercargiil," said Mr. Perrelle, "telling his audiences that I was once feted as a, friend of the racing clubs as one who would give the sport a better eharjeo against ever-increasing inroads of taxation, and that the racing clubs are not being justly treated to-day. I still maintain that I am keenly desirous of seeing racing clubs prosper, and I know the racing public will -ippreciate the difficulty in which the Go~ernment is temporarily placed, and will not mind contributing a little more through tho medium of the totalisator. After all, this only amounts to sixpence in the £ on ihe -investments." "As Mr, Hargest has stated that he is not a racing man," continued tho Minister, '' a little enlightenment seems necessary to what takes place and what is proposed. At present the first deduction from the totalisator investments is 10 per cent., of which the Government gets 2-} per cent, and tho clubs 7-1 per cent. The new proxiosals provide for. a deduction of 12A per cent., of which the Government will get 5 per cent, and the clubs 7-J per cent., as hitherto." , VALUABLE FRACTIONS. "It will not be surprising to many racing people to know that strong efforts were made to induce the Government to take from them the fractions in connection with the operation of tho totalisator. The suggestion was not approved by Cabinet, and the clubs will retain tliose fractions, which constitute a fairly substantial total during the season. What they mean to tho clubs may be seen from the following figures:— For the year 1928-29 the fractions paid to clubs were: Eacing clubs, £25,636; trotting clubs, £9818; total, £35,454. For the year 1929-30,.£25,574' has been paid to racing clubs and £11,208 to trotting clubs, the total being £36,782. Tho figures for the present year' have not been finalised, and the complete figures will show a slight increase on this total. "Not only has the Government maintained the racing clubs' proportion of the totalisator tax, but it has not interfered with the rebate of up to £250 per annum towards course improvements, which is such a help to the struggling clubs. As the Prime Minister has promised to give full facilities for the Gaming Amendment Bill this session, and as that aims at considerably increasing the totalisator revenue by directing investments away from illegal channels, it can hardly be said with justice that the Government is unsympathetic to them.":