NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CONFERENCE.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13929, 11 July 1917, Page 1

NEW ZEALAND TROTTING CONFERENCE.

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS,

"(Pef%ross -Association,)

WELLINGTON, July 10,

Tlio New Zealand Trotting Association's Annual Conference opened today, Mr John Rowe presiding. The chairman, in his address, referring to the arrangement with tiie Government, for the curtailing of sport, said lie believed there was not a man in New Zealand who would not be propaved to cut racing out altogether, if that would help to win the war, but the total cessation of racing and trotting would involve the breaking-up of brooding establishments, and it would

c;:llu-ult to reinstate the old conditions. The chairman also mentioned the value of trotters as cavalry horses, Racing and trotting clubs had contributed £300,000 to the War Funds, aud the Government tax had raised £400,000, Under the restricted programmo for noxt season, the contributions from theso sources must necessarily be much reduced. The conference adopted a motion of sympathy with the relatives of those connected with sport who had fallen in war. Remits were adopted providing for the replacement of rule 20, bv one cmpowering the conference, an any time, to institute an inquiry into the affairs of an association or any club, to hear and determine appeals, and recommend what clubs shall receive totalisator licenses.

That fourteen days' notico shall be given of the intention to appeal, That not more than eight races be included in any one day's programmo, The report was adopted of the Rules Bevision Committee, which recommended that the whole Rules of Trotting should come under review, and in the circumstances it was not advisable to further consider the question of the constitution of the association, as resolved upon at the last conference; also, recommending that a special committee be set up to carry out these suggestions. The following officers were elected: President, Mr John Howe; vice-presi-dent, Mr J. \V, (lore; executive committee, Messrs 1). 11. Huberts, ('. E, Mackav, and E. Fax, ' ■ £l,llll