RACING YEAR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22818, 27 August 1937, Page 9

RACING YEAR

. TAJUPUNA CLUB GAMING LAWS AMENDMENT REDUCED TAXATION SOUGHT ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT A plea that tho Government would amend tho Gaming Act this boss ion, roduco tho heavy taxation now imposed upon clubs, and legalise tho use of tho double totalisator was made by Mr. E. W. Alison in his presidential address at the annual general meeting of tho Takapuna Jockey Club yesterday afternoon. "On this the Sflth annual meeting of tho club," Mr. Alison said, "I move with niinglod feolings of pleasure and regret the adoption of tho report and statement of accounts for tho year ended July 31, 1937—pleasure, as tho accounts, notwithstanding adverse weather conditions, more particularly on tho club's best day, January 29, show a surplus on tho year's working of £1402 17s 3d, after payment to tho Government of £9591 9s lOd, from which a rebate of £SOO was granted, and regret, in having to record the passing of four estimable members of tho club, namely, Messrs, W. J. Ralph, 11. T. Michaels, F. Hawes and Kay Fuller. Death ol Old Member "By the death of Mr. Ralph, tho club has lost one of its oldest, most esteemed, and valued members, covering a long term of years, a member whose devotion, to the interests and welfare of tho club was proverbial. He was New Zealand-born, an estimable citizen, and a fine sportsman, who obtained a notable prominence by his ownership of that outstanding and most successful stoeplcchaser El Gallo. In addition to his being a member of our committee for 37 years, Mr. Ralph ably filled tho office of judge for a number of years. Ho was also vicopresident of tho club for eight years,, and in recognition of his long and valuable services was elected a life member. "As a further acknowledgment of appreciation of his services, the principal race run on the second day of tho summer meeting was named tho Bnlph Handicap, which namo of tho race will be continued until tho club ceases to exist. His name will always be held in esteemod remembrance. Mr. Michaels was a useful and muchrespccted citizen, and for many years a valued member of our committco. By tho death of Mr. Ralph and Mr. Mioliaols, wo have lost two estimable old friends, which reminds us, 'On this side and on that, men see their friends drop off like leaves in autumn,' Messrs. Frank I-lawes and Bay Fullor wore both worthy and respected citizens and good sportsmen. The club has lost its caretaker, Mr, F. Jones, who filled that position for 23 years, and waa a capable, industrious and reliable official. Increase in Receipts "By rofcronce to tho report and balance-shoot, mombors will see that the total receipts for tho year amounted to £23,720 4s 3d, an incroase of £955 18g 2d in excess of t|io previous yoar. Tho expenditure, including £7050 paid out in stakes, £1350 more than the your 1935-36, amounted to £22,317 7s, loaving a surplus of £1402 17s 3d. Taxation paid to the Government amounted to £9591 9s lOd, less a re-bate*-of £SOO. Thr. action of the Government in refunding to clubs onefifth of tho totalisator duty of 5. per cent has provod most helphd, nnd it is to bo hoped the Government will continue to grant this concession. "The taxation paid to tho Government during tho past yoar was £2Oll 9s 10d more 'than tho £7050 horseowners rccoivcd in stakes. Tho amount of Government taxation for the past racing year paid by racing clubs waa £146,287, and trotting clubs £136.449, making a total of £582,736. Tho total taxation paid by racing clubs in tho Auckland district amounted to £160,323. I may inform you that tho totalisator investments for tho past racing year, were:—Racing clubs, £4,605,522, and trotting clubs, £1,614,998 10s, making a total of £6,220,520 10s, which is an increase of 33 por cent on the investments mado tho previous. year. There is every reason to assume that these figures will be surpassed this racing year. Stakes (including trophies) given by racing clubs for tho past racing year amounted to £325,233 15s, as against £268,051 10s for tho yoar 1935-36, an increase of £57,182 ss. "Ratos, local taxes, interest, insurance and legal expenses amounted to £845 17s 6d. A further annual subsidy of £3OO was paid in connection with the maintenance of the Takanini

training tracks. These tracks, although they are most helpful to horse owners and trainers, providing as they do excellent training tracks, aro barely self-supporting, even with the subsidies contributed, and I am reliably informed the syndicate owners have not so far received any return upon their capital investment. 1 Indebtedness Reduced

"Tho club's mortgages, together with accrued interest, which ill. 1936 stood at £10,256 Is -lid, now "stands at £7658 16s sd, a reduction of £2597 5s 6d. Tho club's contribution during tho past year toward maintaining the Now Zealand Pacing and District Levies, amounted to £259 13s Bd. It is indeed regrettable that the club is compelled to contribute toward tho maintenance of a Conference which acted so unjustly, so tyranically, and so discreditably in refusing to grant further permits to raco on the Takapuna course, which was undoubtedly an excellent and safe one, and which was so popular that it was designated 'tho people's course.' "Tho totalisator turnover for tho spring meeting was £58,953 10s,' as ugainst £48,795 10s tho previous yoar an increase of £10,158. For the summer

meeting, tho totalisator returns .woro £52,943, as against £61,024 10s tho previous j'car, a decline of £BOBI 10s. This decline was wholly accounted for by the heavy and continuous downpour which fell on January 29. Tho total sum invested on tho totalisator for tho club's four days' racing amounted to £111,896 10s, as against £109,820 the previous year, an increase of £2076 10s. Stakes to be Increased

"Tho popularity of racing at. the present is undoubted, unci tlio outlook for some years ahead is most promising. Your" committee, following the policy which the club has always carried out, viz., to encourage and assist horse-owners as far as prudently possible has decided to substantially increase tho stake money for the 193738 season, a policy which I foel assured members, recognising tho uplift of racing generally, will endorso. "The total amount of increase in stakes has not yet been fixed, but tho stake monev for each of tho club's special weight Hack Plates, one of which is run on each day of the spring and summer meetings, has been raised from £3OO to £4OO. These Plates have since their initiation in 1924 been liberally supported by horso-ownors and have been successful from every standpoint. This year tho number of entries for each Plato is larger than any .previous year, and collectively number 366 as against 326 the year before, with an average of over 90 entries per race. The distance of each race is ono mile.

"At the last annual meeting I referred to the necessity for amendment of the Gaming Act, 1909, which successive Governments have failed to do, and one wonders why. It is common knowl.edgo that hundreds of bookmakers are plying their illicit calling throughout New Zealand; that millions of betting money annually pass through their hands; that the law is flagrantly defied by both bookmakers html a very large number of the racing public. "On that occasion I referred to the

heavy taxation imposed on racing and trotting clubs, totalling from 1930 to 1930, £2,359,283, and pointed out how unjustly the existing system operated in that a club which, through economic conditions, inclement weather, or other uncontrollable circumstances, makes a loss upon its race meeting or meetings, is subjected to the same excessive taxation as if the meeting or meetings were financially successful. "I stated that the net losses made by racing and trotting clubs for five years, from 3 930-.'il to 1934-35, reached £1.11,389, and that forty clubs incurred an aggregato loss of £14,322, and also pointed out that legislation of such an oppressive and indefensiblo nature demanded revision and equitable adjustment: also that sections 28 and 29 of the Act should bo repealed. Telegraphing of Investments "The provisions of these sections prevent tho telegraphing or remitting of investments on tho totalisator, the use of tho double totalisator, and tho publication of dividends, I pointed out, too, that tho repeal of these clauses would be appreciated by. owners and tho racing public generally, and would substantially benefit racing clubs and largely increase the. revenue <pf tho Treasury; and further, that the amount of illicit betting would be'enormously reducod. At present, although bookmaking is illegal, as is also taking a bet v'ith a bookmaker, and punishable by fine, or oven imprisonment, the law is openly defied, flouted, treated with contempt by otherwise law-abiding people. "It ia authoritatively stated that a sum in excess of the whole totalisator investments made throughout New Zealand is annually invested with bookmakers, tho reason being that the samo Act which provides that the totalisator shall be the only means of betting also_ prohibits the use of the double totalisator and telegraphing of monoy for investment on the totalisator, Consequently, bookmakers flourish on double betting and betting on totalisator odds, hut with a restriction as to the amount of dividend to be paid. ' Minimum Weight Question

" Bookmakers do not contribute in any way to tho sport from which thoy flourish, nor contribute to the Government, except by paying of income tax. It is to bo hoped the Government will amend the Gaming Act this session,

reduce the heavy taxation now imposed oft. olubs, and legalise the use of the double totalizator, and permit money to be telegraphed to a racecourse,. Tho New Zealand Racing Conference has again requested the Government to give an opportunity to Parliament to lift the restrictions I have roforrod to, and it is to bo liopod tho representations made will he favourably considered and given, effect to. " Members will remember that during 1938, at the expressed wish of the Minister of Internal Affairs, a minimum weight of 7.7 was prescribed by the llaoiug Conference. Our committee was strongly opposed to the Minister's recommendations, as also were other racing clubs, handicappers, trainers and horse-owners. Tho objections were so strongly voiced that tho conference oallcd upon all clubs, handicappers, and licensed trainers, to give their opinion for and against the 7.7 and to state their reasons for the opinion given. There was an overwhelming majority against tho 7.7 minimum, ami tho reasons expressed wero sound, ami unquestionable. It is satisfactory to know that the 7-0 minimum has again been reverted to. • . ■ ' • \ ' • ,v. < '. v •) ' • ' . Win and Place Betting , .

" On the question of wagering on tho win and placV system as against the 75-25 system, there are divergent opinions. Personallyi I* mil strongly in favour of tho win and place, which Is operated in practically every country whore tho totalisator is in operation. The double totalisator is also similarly operated except in some Australian States. I am confident that the win and placo system is best in the interests of racing clubs and of investors, except-: ing where fields are small. In the larger centres where fields of eight and over prevail, thero is no question that tho win and place system is the better one. . " "On tho recommendation of tho president, tho" Racing Conference has decided "that all starts shall bo standing ones. I cortainly, do not agroe with that ,decision, for where there aro unruly horses tho best way often is to'_ carry out a' walk-up start: The question of a standing or'a walk-up start is, in my opinion, one for decision by the starter, "Thero is a gratifying feature in connection with the future of racing in Now Zealand, namely j the continued importation of' highly-bred stallions. The two sires imported bv Mr. L. S. Otway for his Trelawney Stud at Cam- j bridge are sired' by two outstanding sires of Groat Britain this year, namely, Solario and Foxlaw. Other importations .include sires of prominent English sire lines., Consequently, breeders will bo in the. fortunate position of having a wido "choice of sires of liighclass winning blood. The enterprise shown in tho importation of these sires is deserving of full appreciation both by racing clubs and tho racing public, and with such a wealth of highly-bred and successful siro blood, it can bo anticipated that tho standard of New Zealand's racehorses will be well maintained. -

Agreement With Auckland " Members will bo ploased to know that tho club's agreement and arrangements with tho Auckland Pacing Club aro carried out quite satisfactorily. Tho agreement entered into between tho two clubs was endorsed by tho members of tho Auckland Pacing Club at the recent annual meeting of that club. ' "I am pleased to toll you that tho officials and permanent staff have given efficient service in carrying out their respective duties. Tho club's handicapper, Mr. Tronsou, has given full satisfaction to horso-ownors and tho committee." In seconding tho motion for tho adoption of tho report and balancesheet Mr. C. E. Major thanked members 'for their readiness to trust the committee, which had been in office for some, time: - The report and balanco-shect Were adopted. A motion of sympathy with the relatives of four deceased members of tho club, Messrs. AV. J. Ralph, It. T. Michaels, F. Hawes and P. Fuller, was

passed. Messrs. F. W. Thome, .T. N. Heslop and A. Harris, retiring members of the committee, were re-elected unopposed.

LONG MEMBERSHIP

RECORD OF MR. E. W. ALISON I In presiding at the annual meeting of tlie Taknpunn Jockey Club yesterday afternoon, Air. E. W. Alison said that recently lie had perused the minutehook containing, tho names of tho 55 people present at the meeting when the club was inaugurated ill 1881. Of tho 55, the speaker was tho only ono alive, and ho mentioned also that he was tho oldest member of tho Auckland Pacing Club..