Stabilisation Of Stakes

Northern Advocate, 7 January 1948, Page 5

Stabilisation Of Stakes

I tlO) The rules of racing and trotting j should be amplified by constraining ! racing clubs to disburse in stakes in j any one year not more than the aggrei gate sum disbursed in 1946-47, and reI straining them from paying in stakes ! for any particular race more than was paid out on the same race in 1946-47. Any difference between the aggregate sum actually disbursed by it in one year and a sUm equal to 90 per cent of the average yearly net amount derived by I such club from the use of the totalisator should be required to be set aside | as a stakes stabilisation fund to be j used when necessary and to the full | extent of its resources to maintain I stakes at the 1946-47 level. til.) As lessened demand for production warrants it. meetings extending over three or more days should be allowed to include one mid-week day. (12) Relief from taxation in the form of income tax and social security contribution should bo extended to clubs, but this should be based as to period and degree upon the circumstances of individual clubs, so that the

primary obligation of each club to its patrons will be capable of reasonably early discharge. On such a basis the reserves held by individual clubs should properly be taken into account. The commission comments that while the maintenance of a reasonable reserve is at all times proper and justifiable. the postponement of the provision of proper amenities in the interests of mere accumulation of a reserve fund can never be justified. (13) Accommodation for jockeys, which, generally speaking is insufficient, or where reasonably adequate, is spartan, should be improved by the provision of exclusive facilities for refreshments, hot showers, proper seating accommodation and of facilities so that jockeys, whether weary or unwell, may lie down between races. (14) The New Zealand Racing Conference should appoint a rota of judges for each metropolitan district and one of the judges so appointed should sit as chairman of the judicial committee at every meeting held in (that metropolitan district.