SPORTING

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1935, Page 6

SPORTING

COUNNTRY CLUBS. ANNUAL REPORT. Tlie Ohivimian ol : the New Zealand Country Racing Clubs Association stated : The year has closed with a credit balance of £*24 18s Id in the Association's accounts.

Following the annual meeting, resolutions adopted were conveyed to the respective Ministers and .Departments. The most important request to bear fruit was the restoration of the former rebate on totalisator duty, which undoubtedly is of the greatest aid to Country Clubs, failing a substantial reduction in taxation. The thanks of the Association • was conveyed to the Department, and the relief has been helpful to some of the clubs. The plea for reduced taxation has become more persistent as the burden is responsible for hampering 'he success of Clubs and the maintenance of rating at the standard desirable. Undoubtedly the Clubs have been long suffering in accepting the position as it is and struggling t/> meet their obligations, at the swine, time maintaining the standard of the sport at a reputable level. It is regrettable to note that the struggle has been beyond the resources of some clubs, which ary passing from the active list, while it is known others are in grave danger of meeting a like fate.

.The membership fees'provided to enable internal management is . even .tax--eiT'.undcr the amusement tax levy, which is surely inequitale. Clubs must he well constituted to conduct race meetings and then to levy a tax on fees to support the management of bodies through which the country obtains such a large financial return, is surely a penalty and definitely unfair.

For all that has been said over the years of protest against conditions for which high taxation has been responsible, nothing permanent has been accomplished, but with so many Clubs now in extremis, there is surely some ground to expect relief. Sport plays a. material part in the welfare of the community. It is the safety valve to maintain the cheerfulness and goodwill of the people. Many countries as a matter of public policy are contriving and desiring to see that the bulk of the populationyhave the opportunity for outdoor reijjoyment recognising the contentment rfsfilting from the changed environnieiit'.d'rom the' sworkroom and relaxing from the hours of toil, lias a good) ■•effect ori the spirits and outlook making for a more contended nation. It would he wise therefore for New Zealand'to keep pace with national policies making for the public good, and through the sport of racing 4 see that the pastime has liberal encouragement and not be restricted by financial fetters.

A matter which comes up rather unexpectedly for consideration at both the. Racing and Trotting Conferences,' is the question of : - permitting bookmakers to ply their calling legally in the country. Some members will have recollection of the conditions in former years when public bookmarking was conducted very loosely, and both clubs and the public were on many occasions victimised. However, in the meantime bookmaking, his , not been a lost art.

The clubs have . made it plain all along to the Government that the burden of taxation is the real evil menacing .the more elevated success of the sport, even accepting the drain in revenue by illicit tbookmaking. Then? is the rule that clubs must give in stakes the return from the, totalisator. If that total could he increased by lowering the duties levied, the stakes would go up automatically, and the owners would be on a more favourable prospect. A -uggestion has been noted in the public press about the centralising of racing. The logic of . that demand means the wiping out of many clubs if agreed to. Is that desirable? The History of the past discloses that under favourable conditions of reasonable taxation, the clubs carried on and nourished. The curtailing of the country meeting wouftl cut out many sporting owners who race for the enjoyment they derive personally with their own horses.

The curtailment of country meetings would destroy much of tlie community interest in many parts, and generally would be a retrograde step in a country where racing is universally popular and the home fixture always a gathering for pleasant social intercourse with neighbours and friends foregathering under relaxed conditions. <