THE RESTRICTION OF RACING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 21 October 1911, Page 1

THE RESTRICTION OF RACING.

RECENT STRICTURES AND N PETITIONS. THE COMMISSION IN REPLY. t Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday, The following report was presented by .Sir Joseph Ward to the House from, the Racing Commission:— "We, the Commissioners applied to .for the purpose of considering* the hearing t>i th& Gaimrjng Amendment Bill .now before Parliaimenfc, and ariguments adduced ih its. support upon reports oflthe Commission .and schedules thereto" ar>ipeuideU, have the honour to submit the -following report: The purport of the Bill is to reinstate certain clubs whose days of racing' were taken away by. the Commission under special direction of the -Legislature ordering a reduction 'of the racing days by 55. With certain, exception the Camm.ission has no objection to this proposal, as it -was- unani- v mous in the opinion that the days 'of racing .were riot excessive to.sfopplythe requirements of so scattered ";a population. Comments upon the report show that it has .been misunderstood in some respects, and that some of the .commentators have, after glancing at the scheduled, neglected to.read the report on wn"ich they were based. The sftatememt that country clubs were not represented was contrary to faofc. •"The statement that 127 country clubs lost 43 days, and metropolitan clubs four days was a. violent suppression of truth, and the suggestion was false. The Commission' did not consider metropolitan clubs as. such, but merely in relation -to a due supply of facilities' for racing, and for certain populations. \The effect of the .report was to reduce the days of racing within 15 miles'of these centres by 28 leaving 26 days for the rest oif ' the Dominion. The enforceraeni of fencing courses vras necessary for the .protection of riders' and spectators. The statement that the Westpoi<t. course .was visited in the dark wa!=> contrary to fact: In almost eVery case (the- clubs- disfranchised had assets in excess of'liabilities. Evflry consideration was shown to cluiba holding one day's racing. The Commissioners are unanimouslv of the"opinion that their reports of May 22nd and" June 18th should,be adhered to. It,was. expresslv' stipulated that their accepta.nce of an ungracious task was upon. condition that .their decisions .should be accepted as final. They most strongly »' protect against any alter-aticm or deduction 'froin the days of racing allotted by them. Regarding the provision of .the Gaming Amendment Bill the Ocroimissioners do not consider them inconsistent with the unanimous opinion expressed in irepoft thrct the] days of, racing are not excessive toysupply the-require-, rnprits of po scattered a population. The* / Bill . however. interfered with the--scheme of distribution which 'the Commissioners desired to carry .out: (l)'.By reducinjr the days allowed , clubs .where the lo«s will be least harmful : (2) by taking days from clubs' whose appointmiemt* ' and,, methods displayed - gross carelessness. - cav'whereT ownei ship > was in effect- prqorietarv." \ , The report j< signed on behalf of/ ' / and with the full consent, of. all the" '- Commissioners bv Sir George Clifford.. :