DOUBLE TOTE

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 58, 6 September 1934, Page 15

DOUBLE TOTE

THE GAMING BILL

BEAD SECOND TIME

DEBATE IN COUNCIL

ONE OPPOSING SPEECH

With only one voice raised against it, the Gaming Amendment Bill, which is being promoted by the Hon. E. R. Davis, was read a second time in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon. The Bill provides for the establishment of double totalisators on racecourses and the publication of dividends. It is anticipated that it will be put through the remaining stages this afternoon.

Continuing his speech on the second reading, Mr. Davis said that during tho period of strain and stress the office-bearers of the. racing clubs had had an anxious time endeavouring to keep going what was mainly known as the sport of kings for the amusement and benefit of' the people. Something beside the gambling element attracted people on to the racecourse. It was thero they met their friends, and were encouraged and uplifted. It was there for a time they forgot their troubles, and there was no doubt that the racecourse played a big part in the social life of the people. Among the sections which gained from increased totalisator investments wero the ' Government, racing clubs, owners, trainers, jockeys, stud farms, and allied trades, including saddlers, motor transport services, producers of oats and fodder, shipping services, waterside workers, and the railways and railway employees. It was estimated that there were. 10,000 people dependont on the racing industry for their welfare.

In1 the post-war years from the 1918----19 season to the end of tho 1933-34 season the Government revenue from stakes tax, totalisator tax, and dividend tax had amounted to £.7,949,325. It ■was probable that the revenue' would have been increased by 50 .per cent, had the money been kept in the legal channels of tho totalisator. During the past season • the total revenue had been £348,935, as compared with £634,492.in 1925-26, a drop of £285,557, or 45.16 per cent., which was a complete loss to the Consolidated Fund. The gross revenue received by the Treasury from the totalisator and other sources connected with racing and trotting during the past four seasons amounted to £1,573,47.6, and that amount did not include the revenue of the Eailway Department or the -Post and Telegraph Department. The increased totalisator returns enabled clubs to provide.better tracks for racing and bettor amenities for the racing public. If the racing'industry were allowed to languish tho public would not have the benefit of free admission to the beautiful grounds when the courses were not being used for'racing. These grounds were frequently placed at the disposal of-others sports activities and gatherings organised for charity. Amidst the beautiful grounds that were provided by the clubs people could meet their friends and enjoy their social activities in ideal surroundings: . LOSSES IN PAST SEASONS. There were 92 racing clubs and 33 trotting clubs in , tho- Dominion. In tho 1930-31 season 72 racing clubs and 26 trotting clubs had lost £75,627; in 1931-32 72 racing clubs and 24 trotting, clubs had lost £52,912.; in 1932-33 46 racing clubs and 15 trotting clubs had lost £15,918; and in 1933-34 48 racing clubs and 16 trotting clubs had lost £19,926; a total of £164,384. Against this 18 racing clubs and-6 trotting clubs had made a profit of £5032 in 1930-31; 15 racing clubs and 5 trotting clubs had made a profit of £4621 in 1931-32; 43 racing clubs and 17 trotting clubs had made a profit of £22,708 in 1932----33; and 44 racing clubs and 15 trotting clubs had made a profit of £17,246 in 1933-34; a total of £59,609.' The net losses for the four seasons under review had amounted to £104,774. Had not the clubs received a rebate of 1 per cent, in their totalisator taxation the losses would have been much greater. This rebate had been reduced to J per cent; from April last. Many of the clubs were in a precarious position, including the Dannevirke, Taumarunui, and Te Kuiti Clubs. The stakes paid in 1931-32 by racing and trotting clubs amounted to £513,756, as .against £338,338 for the past season. In 1925----2.6 the total distributed in stakes was £640,798, showing a drop in eight years of £302,460, or 47.2 per cent. AUSTRALIA BENEFITS. ■ The. reduction in. the stakes had meant that the racehorse owner, who provided the sinews of war, had suffered materially, and as a result many of the prominent owners had either gone out of the game or had reduced their stables. Furthermore, there had been a greater inducement to send horses- to Australia, where there were over 100 New Zealand horses at the present ;time; The owners of these horses had been attracted by the high stakes. Mr.. Davis said that he and his partner had horses racing in Australia at the present time, and-he estimated that it was costing £ 7 per week for a. New Zealand owner to keep a horse in training in tho Commonwealth. : That money was leaving the country, and amounted to £3000 per month or. about £35,000 per annum. The racing clubs relied on the totalisator for a large portion of their revenue, and unless the revenue could be increased the best horses would continue to be sent to Australia, wjiere better stakes were offering. As the result of inferior horses racing in New Zealand, the meetings would decline in popularity, as people liked to see the best horses running. One remembered the great race staged by a Hawko's Bay racing club between The Hawk and Gloaming. So great was the interest in the race that special trains were run. As the result of the drop in the stake money trainers and jockeys, who received a percentage of the winnings, had also suffered, and the stud farms, which had been established at great expense, had received a setback. New Zealand was famous for its horses, and two champions which had been bred in the Dominion, Phar Lap and Carbine, had been a great advertisement for the country. The double totalisator had been introduced in South Australia and Western Australia, and in both those States racing had benefited considerably. Tho double totalisator was now being established in Now South Wales, and it was expected, that there again the results would be bene--ficial.