PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 11 July 1917, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

RACING PERMITS AND COUNTRY

CLUBS

(Special to Star.)

WELLINGTON. July 10

There is a strong feeling of discontent among country members over the Racing Conference Committee's allocation of permits under the curtailed schedule. Mr Hunter voiced this feeling in the House by asking the Minister of^ Internal Affairs if it were correct that Cabinet had finally accepted these recommendations, and whether, if this were so, it Avould not have been more in the spirit of fair play and equality to have given single-day country clubs, Avhich have been largely obliterated by the Conference, an opportunity of being heard in defence of their rights. (Hear, hear.)

Mr Hunter urged Cabinet to reconsider the matter and reinstate some one-day clubs.

Hon. G. W. Russell said the Government did as ail governments had done—referred the requests to the Racing and Trotting Conferences, which controlled racing, directing them to make one-third reduction. Responsibility for curtailment rested with the Joint Conference Committee, of which Sir George Clifford was chairman. The matter had now been settled finally. Members: Oh, no. The Minister: I can only assure members that the recommendations have been accepted and endorsed by Cabinet, and if there are any complaints they must be made against the authorities who had acted unjustly. (Laughter.)