RACING TAXATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 August 1924, Page 8

RACING TAXATION.

ALLEVIATION HOPED FOR. AN OVER BE R DEN IN G LOAD. . . The heavy burden imposed on racing by Government taxation was commented upon by the Hon. E. W. Alison, who presided at the annual meeting *f Takapuna Jockev Club. . “The taxation' imposed on racing clubs and the racing community is unreasonably heavy, and it is to be hoped that some alleviation of the burden will be made/’ remarked Mr. Alison. “Many clubs,’’ he continued, “though making a substantial doss on the race meetings pay large sums in taxation to the Coverumeni. A. number of iu--stance's could be qubtfed, but two will, suffice. One club paid the Government £4852 in. .taxation,, although it made a. loss of £641. As an illustration of the heavy taxation exacted, 1 would, point out .that whilst the stakes paid by our club for four days' racing last season amounted to £J4,525, the Government taxes on The totalisator dividends, stakes, . privileges, and amusements amounted Lo £17,027 Os 2d, or £2502 Os 2d' more .than the total stake .money paid by tli'e .club. During the past season the taxation paid to Idle State by racing clubs (not including trotting clubs) throughout New Zealand amounted to the huge sum of £452,647, in addition to- which local rates were paid amounting to £6677. Under existing conditions the imposition of such an overburdening load of taxation is palpably wrong and opposed to all sound principles. Excessive taxation, which in its operation produces ruinous results, inflicts serious injustice and demands immediate remedy. The heavy racing taxation .was imposed dur_ ing and consequent upon, the Great War, and was tmgrudgingly paid by clubs and the racing public. The clubs also subscribed, and generously subscribed, to, patriotic .purposes. The Government has intimated its intention of affording relief to the general taxpayers by reducing the income tax to a point not more than, half of what it was three wears Seeing that the excessive taxation on racing clubs was a war measure imposition, is it not then fair -and reasonable that there should, also be- a substantial and just reduction of racing taxation? If no alleviation of the existing extreme racing taxation is granted, ..the existence of many clubs will certainly he imperilled. ' - ' “Another matter 'calling -for relief is the high railway freights charged for. transport of racehorses. The fharges are so heavy that many horse-owners are precluded from taking part at distant race meetings. The' policy ,of the Railway Department in exacting high transport charges 6n racehorses Is not only unfair to horse owners* and clubs, but is a short-sighted one in the interests of the railways. The department should revert to its former charges of single fare for a return journey.”