RACING CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22468, 11 July 1936, Page 11

RACING CONTROL

CONFERENCE MEETING ASSUMED NAMES PROPOSAL INSUFFICIENT MAJORITY BRIGHT OUTLOOK FOR CLUBS [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Friday In his presidential report to the delegates to the Pacing Conference to-day, Mr. J. S. McLeod made reference to the national grief at the death of the late King and to the loss that the sport in New Zealand had suffered by the deaths of Sir Francis Dillon Bell, Sir James Conies, Messrs. K. S. Williams, H. A. Knight, li. Lowry, A. Mclntyre, P. H. Aid worth and J. Chadwick. Sir Francis Bell had drafted thoTules establishing the General Trust Fund in 190;'. Those gentlemen who had served as appeal judges were thanked. The increased totalisator investments enjoyed by most clubs this year were a welcome indication of returning prosperity to the country. It behoved all clubs to continue to give in stakes the lull quota demanded under the Rules of Pacing. For the first time for some years, 110 club this year desired permission to givo a less sum in stakes than the amount, required under the rules. One of tho great advantages of the totalisator system of betting was that tho owners received in stakes a sum equal to 90 per centum of the average yearly net amount derived by clubs during the immediately preceding tlireo years. Value ol Classic Events

Mr. McLood stressed tlio outstanding success of classic events. Tlio great public interest created by tbe running of weight-for-ago races and their value in encouraging tlio breeding of highclass horses should not bo overlooked. Every club with four or more days' racing in the year should recognise the value of such races. The continued success in Australia and other countries of horses bred in New Zealand was a source of national pride. Representations had been made, but unsuccessfully, to tlio New Zealand Government Railways Board to reduce the freight on the carriage of racehorses. The board, however, decided to grant free carriage to an attendant on a racehorse. 'J'ho speaker hoped to bo able to convince the Minister of Railways that racehorse-owners had been imposed upon for some years past in freight charges. During the current season the past Government reduced the stakes tax from 5 per centum to the original 1 per centum. For the merging of the two Ij per centum refunds to clubs of totalisator duty into one refund of 2£ per centum on the first £'20,000 invested on the totalisator, with a maximum of £SOO payable to any ono club fliirinsc tlio season, tlio.y owed thanks to the past Government. Many clubs had been enabled to carry on because of this refund and'the refund of one-fifth of tlio totalisator duty. Restrictive Legislation The present Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. W. E. Parry, had been .fully informed of tho serious position in which racing was placed through tliQ enormous burden of taxation. ft is* hoped that tho present Government would not only continue tho one-fifth refund of totalisator dutv, but reduce the existing crippling totalisator. tax. For many years tho conference had strongly represented tho desirability of enacting legislation repealing the restrictions imposed over 25 years ago which prevented the telegraphing or remitting of investments on the totalisator, the operation of the double totalisator, and the publication of dividends. The non-publication of dividends served no useful purpose, but restricted the newspapers from supplying the public with news to which it was justly entitled and created underground channels through which the information could be obtained. The operation of the double totalisator in Hngland and other countries bad proved most, popular and its establishment on Now Zealand racecourses, said Mr. McLeod, would attract greatly increased attendances.

T'iq-speaker made reference briefly to the .instruction to that any fractions horse should he placed outside or behind the field. There were all too frequent inquiries into interference in races, but few suspensions were recorded. Ho had endeavoured to impress upop those in authority their grave responsibility to protect those who rodo in races. Fate of Various Remits Mr. F. W. Nolan (Hawke's Bay) protested against "the' Poverty' Bay Turf Club losing two days' racing and said that when the amalgamation of tbp two, Poverty Bay Turf Club and Gisborne Pacing Club, was brought about, there was an understanding that the racing days would not bo reduced. He suggested the amended dates should apply for oiio year only. 'The president (Mr. J. S. McLeod)' pointed out that the two days now sought had not been used. Ho was of opinion that six days' racing in the district wero better than eight. Mr. Nolan's suggestion was not agreed to by the conference. On behalf of the Marlborough Pacing Club, Mr. A. C. Nathan protested against its losing February 27 and March 1. The club had carried on under great difficulties, ho said, ajid the only timo when it had not used its dates was during tho drought. The president said his remarks concerning Poverty Bay applied to Marlborough. if a success cotdd not be made of tvfo days' racing, a success could not be made of four days. Mr. Nathan's protest was not sustained. A remit was, moved providing that from April ! and to tho end of September, there should bo one steeplcchaso or hurdle race 011 every programme. It was stated the reason for the amendment was to cut out highweights during tho winter season. Dr. McGregor Grant (Auckland) sponsored a remit providing for owners racing borscs under an assumed name. Ho pointed out that if such racing were again allowed, it would bring back to racing many men who at present could not race, by reason of business connections. > Mr. J. 11. Perrett (Feilding) strongly opposed the motion and said if a man wanted to race, there was 110 reason why he sliopld not race in tho open. After a brief discussion, a Vote resulted:—For tho remit, 33; against, 14: As 37 votes, giving a three-fourths majority, were necessary to carry the proposal, it was lost. The best method of starting was disenssed, following the moving of' A Hawke's Bay Jockey Club remit, which suggested that tho standing start should be adhered to. The motion was lost. Ifc was decided to make a strong recommendation to all district committees and clubs that in approving or framing conditions of all handicap flat races, a minimum weight of not loss than 7.7 be prescribed. The conference refused the applications of L. H. Watson, jockey, and C. R. Powell, who asked for the removal of the balance of their terms of disqualification.