RACING PERMITS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17528, 11 July 1917, Page 6

RACING PERMITS.

COUNTRY CLUBS' GRIEVANCE. NO REMEDY FROM CABINET. ■ [From Oxm Corresponded] WELLINGTON, July 10. There is a strong feeling of discon« tent among country members: over the Racing Conference Committee's allocation of permits under tne curtailed schedule. ~.„,•. . '.,■'-' Mr Hunter voiced this, feeling ln'tffl© House, asking the Minister, of Internal Affairs if it was correct that.. Cabinet had finally accepted these racing me&k, •> ations, whether, if this is so it would - have been more in the spirit of fair; play and equality to hare given single ,-. day country clubs who have been largely obliterated by tho conference an opportunity of being heard in defence 6i their rights? (Hear,, hear.) Mr Hunter urged Cabinet to reconsider, the matter and reinstate some one-day clubs. He had no desire to comment on the attitude of the district,oommjttoe in making representations; buVthe. country clubs recognised that there should bo a considerable curtailmentof racing, though they objected to being sacrificed in the interests of - th« metropolitan clubs. ■ . v-.i. "a. The Hon G. W. Russell repbed.that ; .s for months the Goverhni** had received requests from a large sectionpr the public, including horse owner®, favouring a substantial curtailment or racing- -"• ~:.'■ '< v 'Mr Isitt: Yes, substantial. " v ;;\; f :• Mr Lee: Thov have not got it yet.Mr Russell said that the GovernpettV did as all Governments had ferred the requests to the Racing am; Trotting Conferences, which cqraroHM ; | racing, directing a one-third'reduction.. _> Tho responsibility for the curi'aflment lested with the joint wnfetewOTU .;: mittee, of which Sir George Clifford , was chairman. The matter had now. >, been settled, finally settled. , ; Members: Oh, no. >, : r The Minister: I can only assure members that the hav been accepted and endorsed bv Cabinet and if there are any complaints thej : must be made against the authorities 7? who had acted unjustly. (Laughter.) If there was any remedy it must) b« >,; from within tie racing, authorities. • Mr Lee: They won't touch it. Mr Russell, concluding, stated thafc , special attention had been given to 7 safeguarding tlie financial interests of, ■ ; clubs whose racing hadbeen stopped,' •; Interest and other charges were bi6in*. ; ; paid from raci»«. nrefitiK *