RACING NEWS BROADCAST

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 6 August 1928, Page 11

RACING NEWS BROADCAST

LATE EDITION

COMPANY’S DECISION REGRETTED

LETTER. FR OM SECRETAR Y OR RACING CONFERENCE.

(By Telegraph—Press Association.)

. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 6. Replying to the Radio Broad casting Company, the secretary of thia Racing Conference say©:—“The attitude which your company proposes to take in connection with the broadcasting of descriptions of racing and trotting meetings is regaettad, not only because your proposed action to broadcast .such information is contrary to the wishes of the Racing and Trotting Conferences but for the reason©: —(1) That it creates and) maintains attention to happenings at race meetings during the progress thereof by many persons not present, which results in disadvantage to (the business community. (2) That it promotes and facilitates illegal betting. The fact that your company is not alone responsible for certain abuses is, I think, generally recognised, but nevertheless it is common knowledge that the broadcasting of results, etc., during the progress of a race meeting stimulate® interest away from the racecourse on race days and results in an increase of illegal betting.”

THE COMPANY’S REPLY. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 6. In reply to the statement oy th)3 Racing uonterence, tne Radio Broadcasting Company says: “We have ad axing railed to follow tne arguments or tne racing authorities. Tiieir attitude in regard to the .spread of illegal .gambling is sheer hypocritical nonsense, nor does the broadcasting of race results affect adversely the tote investments, rather dee© it. increase them. Owing to the publicity given, additional interest is thereby aroused in the race®, and there are correspondingly increased attendances. Though it ns safe to say

that the racng 'authorities are more con- § cemed about any possible harmful effect of broadcasting from the point of view of their share of the tcxbalisatoir investments, they havp chosen to pose as correetrs of public morals in regard to betting, dire public will appreciate at their .real worth these protests and feigned feelings. The Broad easting Company has no need to .make any such professions.”