CONTROL OF RACING

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 12 July 1935, Page 3

CONTROL OF RACING

TAXATION STILL EXCESSIVE SPORT BECOMING LOCALISED PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL REPORT. ; (By Telegraph— rress. Association.) WELLINGTON, To-day. The excessive taxation imposed upon racing still continued in spite of the oft repeated protests of the .confer: ence. If the Government would- reduce the crippling totalisator tak to a more reasonable and just amount its revenue would surely" be iucr'easfed, stated the chairman, Mr J. McLeod, of Hastings, in presenting his annual report to the Racing Conference. The clubs would be able to give stakes which would retain the support of owners and consequently the earnings of trainers land jockeys-and the army of employees engaged in racing would be raised To a standard commensurate with their'employment. The action of the Government in giving; a modicum of relief by the rebate of 1 per centum of totalisator duty to clubs up to July ill, 13Jb, was appreciated. This had undoubtedly been a relief to many clubs, particularly country clubs, and it was hoped the Government would continue the rebate beyond' the period .stated. The conference had bailed to impress the Government with the situation which existed, that taxation still remained excessive compared with’ other totalisator countries. - The cost of transport by the railways to travel racehorses for any distance prevents many owners from racing their horses far from their home 'quarters. As la result of the financial crisis racing stakes were now so small that racing had become localised.

It must be 'obvious to all and painfully acknowledged that to-day Australia was claiming the .Dominion’s high-class horses, as racing was cheaper there and stakes larger. Ifne continued loss of this type of horse from New Zealand racecourses would reduce the interest of the best supporters. There was. a large section of the racing public who without any thought of gain would travel far to see contests, between great.horses. Mr McLeod was" keen, therefore, that clubs should retain weiglit-for-age races as far as possible. In fact he recommended this _ conference;'! to adopt a rule whereby any club holding four or more days racing-, should include one weight for-ag,e race for. every two days ’ racing held in the flat racing season.

Referring to the Gaming Bill which failed to pass Parliament last session, the chairman said that the only chance of success appeared to be to try and 'so impress the Government that it may see it" was to its advantage to satisfy the just desires of a large section of the community to concede to them what they were justly entitled to by the Government itself . fathering the legislation. The conference -.certainly had the support of the Government up to a point, as the Leaders of the House expressed their approval of the desires of the conference. ‘ <

During the season the executive committee revoked all previous resolutions authorising totalisator systems, other than <the.win and place system and the resolution permitting dividends to be paid on the first and second- horse *in the event of the numbers on the totalizator being five or more. Owing .to the diversity of opinion as to the most satisfactory method of utilising the totalisator the chairman suggested for the purpose of discussion that the win and' place and the 75-25 per cent, systems only be adopted. The executive had carefully, reviewed the question of , reducing the amounts of the. hack qualification and had brought- forward- for consideration a resolution to reduce-- the amounts from £250 and £SOO to’£2ol) and £4OO respectively. The effect' of This amendment, if carried,’ would be ,a‘ more speedy removal of a good .horse irito races in open company and thus' give the moderate, hacks a quicker opportunity of earning their keep.

Under the rules of racing the president was empowered to grant Exemption On the recommendation of the district committee to any club holding, a meeting in tho period from May 1 in one year to August 31 in the next succeeding year inclusive, from.-including in its programme-at least one maiden or hack or hunters’, or hack and hunters’ steeplechase. During recent years clubs had been freely granted the exemption, but, acting in conjunction with the .executive, all district committees and clubs had. been notified tlrat in future such exemption would only be granted under special circumstances. It was hoped by a rigid’ enforcement of the rule to arrest the decline of the jumping liorso in this country and to ensure that ample, provision was made for the jumping horse and rider. Quite a number of clubs could assist, in this direction by the inclusion of hurdle races in their programmes in place of the handicap flat racee at 9st. minimum in which only , recognised .jumping; riders were eligible to ride. The state of the gcnei'af trust fund showed that it was in a reasonably sound position in spite of heavy claims. The advantages of this fund must be appreciated : by all owners and their employees. Since the inception of the fund in TOOT claims "totalling £94,983 17s 2d had been p'aid. The stipendiary -stewards , still continued to do good work. The judicial committees of clubs were realising that it was no longer sufficient to fine’ or caution or to suspend for one day or for a week, any rider found guilty of interference in the running, of a* race. The determination of the executive to enforce appropriate penalties, for-inter-ference in the running of races was having ur good effect. The racecourse inspectors render Valuable services in the interests of all racegoers and-their

work was appreciated by all who were concerned in Inc welfare of racing.

\ During the season just drawing to a close the conference lost good administrators, and-supporters of . the turf by the deaths of Dr. P. F., MeEvedy, Messrs E. A. Campbell, V. Eiddiford, D. G. A. Cooper, E. Cooper land W. 11. Ballinger. Thanks were extended to Sir Walter •Stringer,. K.C.M.G.,. Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., Messrs O. S. Watkins, H.' F. O’Leary, K.C., and C. W. Tringliam for their services in acting us judges on appeal cases heard during the year. During the last year, attendances at race meetings lvad increased and racing generally had made a considerable upward tendency from the state of affairs that had existed.- The improved financial position no doubt had encouraged people to spend more on the sport they seem to enjoy so immensely.’ The president hoped this state of affairs would continue until a return was made to the prosperous position of a few years ago.