Racing Conference Elects Officers

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 160, 9 July 1938, Page 10

Racing Conference Elects Officers

COMPLIMENTARY TICKET ISSUE DISCUSSED Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Last Night. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference was held today. Dates were approved subject to amendments which give Waipawi'g former date to Hawke’s Bay, October 7; four Takapuna days to the Auckland Club; Taumarunui's October 1 and 3 to Ohinemuri; Dargaville's two days to Avondale, October 15 and 17. A large number of club dates have been changed and it was decided that no dual licenses be granted by tho Conference except under special circumstances. A discussion took place regarding the issue by clubs of complimentary tickets following a complaint that it was leading to abuses, and it was decided to ascertain from clubs full particulars as to the issue of such tickets. Officers elected were: President, Mr. J. S. McLeod; vice-president, Mr. A. S. Elworthy; executive, Messrs W. C. Motion (Auckland), D. E. Wanklyn (Canterbury) ■, T. E. Coates (Greymouth), A. C. Hanlon (Dunedin), G. D. Beatsoa (Hawke's Bay), W. T. Hazlett (Southland), C. W. Tringham (Wellington), J. H. Perrett (Wanganui) and Hon. J. McLeod (Taranaki). Remounts Subsidy Scheme WANGANUI BREEDER MAKES SOME SUGGESTIONS OWNERS, BREEDERS AND TRAINERS' EXECUTIVE MEETING (Special to “Times.") WELLINGTON, Last Night. Tho value to breeders of being actively associated with tho New Zealand Racing Owners', Breeders' and Trainers' Association was stressed by Mr. Grogan, of Wanganui, when dealing with the remounts subsidy scheme at a meeting of the National Executive today. Mr. Grogan said that breeders had much in common with owners and trainers and, in their special department, could both assist and receive a measure of help from tho organisation. Tho Hon. G. R. Hunter, vice-presi-dent, occupied the chair and members present were Messrs. R. S. Bagby (Auckland), W. B. Shattock (Hamilton), C. W. Boyd (Palmerston North), S. J. Reid (Hastings), J. Somerton (New Plymouth) and the national secretary, Mr. C. E. Craig. Tho secretary stated that the president, Dr, E. H. B. Milson, had expressed tho hope that a representative of the breeding side could be found to further the interests of this section and that ho had invited Mr. Grogan, whose activities in this respect were so well known, to attend. Mr. Craig added that Mr. Grogan’s help in discussing the remount subsidy proposals would be invaluable. Mr. Grogan said the scheme was most desirable, but that care should be exercised to avoid it defeating its ends. He suggested the importation of sires of the Irish hunter type, a very hardy and useful breed, and these sires could be placed in hunting districts on the interchange system. Ho added that a limit should be placed on tho class of mares selected and he was strongly opposed to sires being travelled by motor transport in their duties as this was undesirable and against the principles of securing the best results. There should also be a limit on the time and number of services per day. It was not good policy, continued Mr. Grogan, to offer premiums to unsuitable horses, for the scheme had a far-rcaching effect and New Zealand had its good name as a breeding country to protect and uphold. Tho value of Dominion-bred stock had made its presence felt overseas while in the wars of later periods remounts from New Zealand had been outstanding.

The chairman said Mr. Grogan had shown them the value of having a man of practical knowledge to deal with such an important question and on his suggestion it was decided that Mr. Grogan place his views before the Minister concerned with the scheme.

Mr. Craig reported that as tho outcome of the annual meeting there was renewed activity in many quarters and branches would bo promptly established in South Auckland, Gisborne, Wanganui and South Taranaki. As the secretary was unable to set a convenient time for visiting South Canterbury, Otago and Southland, the question of organising branches in those areas was left to the Canterbury branch, and Mr. Boyd said the Manawatu branch would attend to association matters in tho Wairarapa and was hopeful that Wellington would become a separate unit. The following rcmit3 were approved for presentation to the Racing Conference Executive: —

1 ‘That provision be made to embody gentleman riders in the accident and insurance scheme providing the horses ridden are covered by tho provident fund.

“That trainers be given the right to use suitable tongue controls as a preventative for horses known as tongue hangers. ‘«That .the Conference ifesue a badge to licensed trainers which will gain admission to race meetings.

“That in granting future licenses preference bo given to those who have served a term of apprenticeship and who have had experience in racing stables for at least four years.

“That the association be permitted representation at conference meetings to advocate any accepted remits only, but not to bo entitled to vote." Jt was decided to instruct branches (a) to forward remits of a rational character only to the Dominion executive; (b) to hold tho annual meetings not later than May 30 and appoint delegates to the executive; (c) that secretaries keep a register of financial members and forward same to the national secretary before the annual meeting of the parent body. The secretary's action, in forwardinq a letter to the chairman of the Racing Conference expressing appreciation ot the assistance given in several matters by the secretary, Mr. H. R. Sellers, was endorsed, as was the remit from several branches requesting the use of blinkers in races.