The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 15, 1935 MAINTENANCE OF RACING

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1935, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, JULY 15, 1935 MAINTENANCE OF RACING

Tin; various conferences in Wellington last week regarding racing and trotting affairs delved deeply into matters affecting the welfare of the sport. The pastime of racing is undoubtedly popular in this Dominion. Even though there has been a slump period, the racing has remained popular with public and owners alike, despite the enforced drop in stakes, New Zealand still, for population, offers the highest average of stakes, while in the Dominion the number of competing horses is increasing rather than decreasing. The breeding of horses is a profitable industry for those with weli founded studs, and there is a demand at good prices for the New Zealand bred horse. The conduct of the sport likewise is at a higli* level. The measure of control is of a high standard, it is probably costly hut the results justify the outlay, for on all sides the admission is made that the sport in this country is well managed, and in many ways is an ' example for other countries to follow. The totalisator has been the helpful factor to achieve the outstanding results combined with the disinterested leaders in the sporting world who have put their minds to the control on certain definite lines and excellent fruit has resulted. The fact that the machine has played a part in assisting the country financially must also be recognised. The Government of the day for years past has exacted its pound of flesh from the ‘racing people, ami this has gone on till the process lias hurt,' and there have been resonahle and well established demands for relief from the burden of taxation, it being pointed out that there is now a tendency to kill the goose which lays the golden egg. To combat the drift in racing there are various suggestions. One is to re-in-troduce the bookmaker; another is to centralise racing; but the conference appear to agree that the safe and only cure is to reduce taxation, and allow the sport to recover from within itselfBeing so well managed there is no

doubt recovery would be possible by that means, and there is some suggestion that the Government realise the position by providing lor a rebate on taxation under certain conditions. The restrictions affect clubs heavily in debt and still floundering, but it is being pqinted out the relief has proved most helpful. It was wise for the Government to move as has been done, for without the extra aid, several clubs would have been defunct now. The centralisation proposal could hardly cure the trouble for already’ racing in the main centres is as frequent as many business people consider is good for the locality. There is no valid reason why a prohibition should be put on the rights of the country people to carry on racing if they so desire. Many of the country dubs are of great age — almost as old as the Dominion, and to enforce curtailment would he an invasion of rights and privileges from the early days. Nor would the public reentry of the bookmaker ho advisable. He operated openly in former years, and since liis_ exclusion from racecourses the sport has made enormous advance. It would be a retrograde step to go back on a system which has .achieved so much, and which under reduced taxation is possible to maintain tiie sport according to-the best traditions. Much thought and care is given to the management of racing and its, ,success and (popularity may be attributed to those factors. Then why should there by a demand for radical changes.