RACING AND PARLIAMENT

Evening Star, Issue 20959, 25 November 1931, Page 3

RACING AND PARLIAMENT

KEEPING CLEAR OF ELECTIONEERING

[Per United Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, November 24. In an interview to-day, the president of the INow. Zealand J’aeing Conference (idr 0. 8. Watkins) made the loilowmg statement •

“ It has been the custom at past elections lor racing organisations (otlici than conference used) in common with the bodies controlling other activities to place their respective cases before candidates, and, where possible, to obtain from them promises which, to their own embarrassment and the annoyance (to use a mild term) of those to whom the promises were g.vcn, were not always kept. During the past twelve months it has been many times my duty as president of the Racing Conference to place before the Government, not only very plain statements of the really desperate plight of racing clubs, but also practical suggestions tor the relief to which, in my considered opin.on, eftect could have been given, but which the Government could not see its way to grant. At the same time the increase in the amount of refund ot tota|isator duty provided for in the last Finance Act is in itseli a recognition (torwhich wo are really grateful) of the principle that the chibs arc entitled to help. 1 myself realise to the full the financial difficulties with which the present Government is being faced to-day, and the fact that day to day changes arc creating fresh causes of concern lor whatever Government may be returned at the General Election. . “ Important as is rac ng not only to the'conference, _ clubs, and the thousands whose living is derived from it, but also to the Government, which draws from it half a million annually in revenue, it is only one of the many activities of national life that are lighting for a bare existence. In my opinion it is important that attention to the general issue of the country’s welfare as a whole should not at this particular election bo distracted by any s'de issues, however important, _ and I most sincerely appeal to' all racing organisations connected with the Now Zealand Conference to refrain from making our claims a matter of public questioning of any candidate of any party. I strongly fool tlmt_ the cause of racing in this present crisis will best bo served by making our representations after the elections to Government and to the tlmn members of Parliament, instead of to candidates for election. Nothing-can bo done to_ help racing or any other activity until the new Paniamcnt moots, and our case will bo best considered by men with a knowledge that is gained with tho sense of responsibility that is by membership of the Legislature. Such an attitude on onr nart will. T am convinced, pave the way for that calm consideration of onr claims on their nmrits from wh'ch we have nothin" to fear, but which in tho past has been so often prevented by preindices around through public ontrnvorsy in the heated atmosphere of the election arena.”