PURIFYING THE TURF.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11541, 30 March 1898, Page 4

PURIFYING THE TURF.

When the Hon James Carroll talks of “purifying ” the “ sport of kings ” and suppressing “ immorality” at race meetings he must not, wo presume, be taken to mean exactly what his words will inevitably convey to, say, a member of tlio Women’s Political Association. The Minister’s “personal observation” in matters connected with horse-racing is ad-.

mittedly extensive, and bis knowledge accurate, so that it is impose sible he could have used the word “immorality” in its conventional sense, but as a convenient word to describe practices which are objec tionablo without being illegal, anc which have a demoralising effect upoi the sport of the community. Fron the general scope of his remarks it i( indeed clear that Mr Carroll wonlc like to see horse-racing elevated, oi restored to its old status of a sport instead of being a medium of sordk money - making or conscieucelesi swindling. We heartily agree witl his aspirations, but regret that he did not even hint at any means by whiel they might be attained. At present it looks as if horse-racing, with itt concomitant gambling, must gt through the whole gamut of degradation and become utterly discredited before there will be any hope of the Pacing Clubs taking such bold and effective action as will help its rehabilitation. If the support of those who are interested in racing with the object of personal gain were eliminated, there would not he enongl left to keep a dozen race meetings going in the colony. Mr Camll seems to hold that the “ true sportsmen ” are those who decline to bet ax a race, and who attend race-meer ings out of admiration for tb “ noble animal,” or for love of ai exciting contest; and perhaps he a right. But ■if the gatherings it Eiccarton, for instance, were confine! to gentlemen of this class, the stand! aud enclosures would be practically empty, and the Treasurer of thd Jockey Club would have a depiorabl« story to tell at the end of the year. We might as well recognise at onc< that racing, as we have it in this country, is entirely dependent upon betting, and that betting produce!! all the “ immorality ” Mr Carroll wishes to suppress. If the Minister is really in earnest in his professions, he will take the earliest opportunity to further limit the use of the totalisator, and to bring it under the direct control of his own Department. There is no other means by which he can purify the turf. So long as he leaves the management of the machine to clubs that are largely interested in the encouragement of betting he • cannot expect to lessen the evils of which he complains.