TOTALISATOR TICKETS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23356, 26 May 1939, Page 17

TOTALISATOR TICKETS

5/- MINIMUM PROPOSED ATTRACTING MORE PATRONS CANTERBURY OFFICIAL'S PLEA [by telegraph—PßESS association] CHRISTCHUHCH, Thursday Alaintaining that the present minimum investment of 10s on the totalisator was too high for many followers of racing, the honorary treasurer of„the Canterbury Jockey Club, Air. George Gould, expressed the opinion at the annual meeting that the New Zealand Racing Conference should insist on facilities being provided for a minimum investment of os.

Although 110 decision was reached at the meeting, Mr. Gould's suggestion received 110 criticism, and those who commented on it expressed their approval. "The totalisator is one of the few enterprises in New Zealand to-day which is in a prosperous condition," he said. "Whether this is a healthy state of things I will leave others to say. The question now before us is how we should shape our policy for the good of racing and the racing public. I think we should strive to hold a strong reserve to enable us to maintain stakes when we have to face reduced revenues, which may not be far away. We have been on a joy ride for the last few years which may not long continue. "One thing 1 am sure of. The minimum stake of 10s on the totalisator is too high for many of our patrons. T think the facing Conference should insist on facilities being provided for a os minimum. Wc have only to look to England and Australia for guidance on this question. I do not want to interfere with the man who wants to invest £5, but we should provide for the people \vho want to risk only ss. "We should lose something in net revenue, but not as much ias may bo thought," continued Mr. Gould. n would be immensely popular, and we should gain in attendances. '