RACING PRIVILEGE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14191, 28 April 1919, Page 5

RACING PRIVILEGE.

WARTIME DEPRIVATION.

ADJUSTING LIABILITIES.

(Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday.

Some remarks explaining the position which had arisen in connection with the curtailment of racing in 1917 were made by the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister for Internal Affairs, to-day. Mr Russell said that when the curtailment of racing was made in 1917 on account of the war, the question was raised as to the assistance of those clubs who had suffered financial loss and those wdiich had not. There were two classes of clubs which suffered, those that were prohibited from holding meetings, and those whose meetings were reduce*!. The matter was discussed between tljo two branches of the sport, represented by Sir George Clifford, president of the Racing Conference, and the Government. The principle question was whether the clubs that continued their meetings and made a profit should assist those that were unable to pay the interest on their mortgages and to maintain their courses properly. The question how this was to be done was left to the racing and trotting conferences. The Government had made no suggestion whatever. It was intended that a club which lost profits through the curtailment of racing should be assisted, or that there should be a general distribution of profits by clubs that continued race meetings. The only question was whether clubs that were unable to pay their way should be assisted. .