THE TOTALISATOR TAX

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1930, Page 7

THE TOTALISATOR TAX

RACING CLUB’S PROTEST. HASTINGS, August 8. General condemnation of the totalisator tax was voiced at the annual meeting of tbe Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club to-day. Tic president, Mr T. H Lowry, said that tae proposal to increase the totalisator tax by 2-1- per cent, had come as a bombshell to clubs. It reminded him of the tax organised by Sir. Robert Peel in England in 1818, called the “window tax.” It was enforced as a last resort and when collectors came round to get the tax they found the windows closed up. It looked as though some of the clubs might have to.close up if the present tax increased. Air Massey had led them to' understand that the original tax was due to necessity fo obtaining additional revenue during the war and owing to war expenses. He thought that the Prime Minister had over-run his object with this taxation. Air H. A. Russell said that on the year’s operations the Government hacl made 247 more than the Hawke’s Bay Club. 11l the first instance the tax had been put oh to help racing,but now its principal purpose was to help the Government. If the same amount went through the totalisator next year as last, then the Government, with the increased tax, would net a further £2804. It would thus seem as though racing was to be run mainly, for the benefit of the Government. THe effect would he to drive business into the hands of the bookmakers. Air J. S. M’Leod believed that something would have to be done to impress the gravity of the position on responsible politicians. Every party that came into power seemed to think that racing clubs were to be made the chopping blocks of taxation schemes. Mr Massey.had given them to understand that the tax would he ,repeal.d after the war, but insteadfof- (that, -t bad been increased. A: great many owners were now seriously considering as to whether racing paid. Itdiadf come to this, that neither they nor : the clubs were getting fair treatment. For himselr, if lie could he would sell his. horses to-morrow. Outside Sir George Hunter’s Bill nothing had been attempted to help racing. Very few clubs had a prosperous year. The Government gave them no consideration whatever, but merely seemed desirous of threshing the last grain of corn out of them.