DOG RACING IN BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20172, 5 February 1929, Page 6

DOG RACING IN BRITAIN.

HOME SECRETARY'S OPINION. "ALMOST ENDED NEXT YEAR." [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] . LONDON. Dec. 13 In a letter to Mr. John Buchan, M.P., regarding the Dog Racing Bill, which would give local authorities power to license tracks, the Home Secretary suggests that the sport of dog racing will be almost at an end next year.

"I hase been carefully considering the position in regard to greyhound racing, writes Sir William Joynson-Hicks, "in view of the deputation which you brought to see mo of some of our colleagues' in Parliament, and also in view of the Prime Minister's definite statement, in reply to a question by yourself, that there is no possibility of finding time for a contentious bill during the present session. I have made careful inquiries from the Metropolitan Police, and I find that there has been a very marked decrease in the attendances at greyhound racing. There has been a marked fall in the value of the

shares of most companies. "I always took the view that the sport would not be a lasting one, and I still hold that opinion. In fact, I think (hat if you and your friends will let' the matter stand for the moment you may find that by next year the sport will be almost at an end. .At all events I am satisfied that there is no probability of its increase. If, on tlie other hand, you should still feel that real harm is being done to the community by greyhound racing you could bring a new bill in as soon as the new Parliament meets', and, while it is not possible for me to pledgo a new Government, I can only say that so far as I am concerned I should do my utmost to obtain time for its discussion in the House."

Among racing circles the Home Secretary's comments are declared to bo unjustifiable. llacing is in progress at the White City, Clapton and other places, and it is reported that despite the bad weather meetings are as well attended aud successful as ever.

"The Home Secretary is entirely mistaken," said an official at the White City. "There is 110 dwindling in popularity here and no decline in the number of people who pour into every race meeting. It is a pity the Home Secretary was not here to see—ho might have revised his opinions." Mr. L. G. Hill, secretary of the Clapton Stadium, Ltd., said that the attendances were dwindling a little, but they attributed this to the weather. "We are not geuTng the crowds we got in the summer," ho said, "but we do not, of course, expect to do so. The falling off is notbin# more than was anticipated in the winter.