RACING TAXATION.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 1 October 1924, Page 3

RACING TAXATION.

WELLINGTON PROTEST

IBy TELFORAVR— PREPS ASFJOIATxONf ' WELLINGTON, Sept. 30. At the annual meeting of the Wellington Racing Club reference was made to the enormous sums taken annually by the Government from racing clubs by way of taxation.

Mr. J. B. Har court (president) said that last year the large sum of £45,290 was paid in taxation during the year, and that when the Finance Minister indicated his intention to further tax racing, the executive of the club took occasion to point out that such an act would assuredly result in the fallingoff in the turnover. This indication was. unfortunately, only too true, although the attendance of the public increased. The Dominion had had a record year as far as exports went, but the results showed a big falling-off. Since this taxation was imposed the totalisator turnover had decreased at Trentham by £198,573, and the experience of every club was that the Government was slowly killing the goose that laid the golden egg_ -A satisfactory report of the year’s proceedings was submitted. The' erection of the club’s new buildings when completed would bear comparison with those on any racecourse in Australia and New ZealancL Mr. J. B. Harcoiirt was re-elected president, Mr. W. If. S. Moorhouse vice-president, and Messrs J. W. Abbott, J. G. Duncan, W. Higgins, D. M. Findlay, and O. S. Watkins stewards.