RACING AND THE WAR

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXIX, Issue LXIX, 23 November 1915, Page 4

RACING AND THE WAR

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE DIS-

CUSSION

_ At last night's meeting cf the coun- • cil of the Hawera Chamber of Commerce, the president (Mr L. A. Bone) moved the following resolution: "That this Chamber strongly protests against the inaction of the Government in continuing to allow racing and trotting clubs to held their meetings at a time when the nation is engaged ia the greatest war of her history, and, further, this Chamber considers that if the Government are sincere in their wish to assist the people in the ways of thrift and economy, its. duty is to abolish racing for the duration of the war."

The president, in speaking to the resolution, warmly criticised the Government because of its inactivity in this matter, and, personally, he thought it was a standing disgrace to the country that racing should be allowed to continue at the present time. "While the Premier is exhorting the people to exercise economy, and to practice thrift, the Government continues to allow racing and trotting meetings throughout the length and breadth of fhe Dominion," declared the president. It was time something was done to bring the matter before the Government, and he thought it was within the province of the Chamber, if it were so minded, to protest against the continuance of racing during the war.

Mr E. C. Hayton, while in sympathy with the proposal, thought there were other things which could also be curtailed as well as racing.

Mr A. Blair also expressed a similar opinion, and said he considered that drinking was worse than racing. If all the money spent in drink were deviated to patriotic purposes there would not be much need for a war tax.

Mr J. W. Harding considered" the motion was rather drastic; it was striking at one particular body of sport. There were other things much more glaring which could very well be dealt with.

Mr C. A. Strack seconded the motion, pro forma. He thought, however, the discussion of such an important subject should be held over until a full meeting of the Chamber.

The president agreed to allow the motion to stand for the time being, and it was decided to convene a meeting for December 6 to further consider the subject.