RACING NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 212, 6 August 1928, Page 2

RACING NEWS.

BROADCASTING PROPOSALS,

Per Pi •ess Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 6. Replying to a Radio Broadcasting Company regarding the broadcasting of racing information, the secretary of the Racing Conference says: “The attitude which your company proposes to take up in connection with the broadcasting of descriptions of racing and trotting meetings is regretted not only because your proposed action to broadcast such information is contrary to the wishes of the Racing and Trotting Conferences, but for the following reasons: —(1) That it creates and maintains attention to happenings at race meetings during the progress thereof by many persons not present which results in disadvantage to the business community; (2) that it promotes and facilitates illegal betting. The fact that your company is not alone responsible for certain abuses is, I think, generally recognised, but nevertheless it is common knowledge that broadcasting results, etc., during the progress of a race meeting stimulates interest away from the racecourse on race days and results in an increase of illegal betting.”

COMPANY’S STATEMENT.

Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 6.

In reply to the statement by the Racing Conference, the Radio Broadcasting Company says: “We have all along failed to follow the arguments of the racing authorities. Their attitude in regard to the spread of illegal gambling is sheer hypocritical nonsense. Nor does the broadcasting of race results affect adversely the totalisator investments; rather does it increase them owing to the publicity given, the additional interest thereby aroused in races and the correspondingly increased attendances. Though it is safe to say that the racing authorities are more concerned about the possible harmful effect of broadcasting from the point of view of their share of?’the totalisator investments, they have chosen to pose as correctors of public morals in regard to betting. The public will appreciate at their real worth these protestations and feigned feelings. The Broadcasting Company has no need to make any such professions.”

The, Radio Broadcasting Company intimatecl to the secretaries of tho Racing and Trotting Conferences that it proposes to broadcast for the benefit of listeners such racing information as it has a legal right to broadcast,, and that it will broadcast the results as soon as they arc available.