RACING PERMITS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8179, 22 July 1912, Page 3

RACING PERMITS

WANTED—A “SQUARE DEAL”

DEPUTATION' TO PRIME MINISTER,

COUNTRY CLUBS’ REPRESEN

TATIONS.

A large deputation from the Country Racing Conference waited on the Prime Minister (Hon. W. F. Massey) and the Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. H. 11Hell, K.C.) on Saturday morning, with a request that the proposed private memIxjr’g Bill that will bo introduced this session should get a “square deal” as far «a the Government is concerned. I'he Prime Minister replied that the measure will certainly get a "fair run." Mr Bruce (Thames) said the country rglubs had been battling for two years to get back what they considered their rights—to have restored to them the number of racing days taken away as the result of “hysterical legislation/’ When hysteria was abroad the resultant legialaction as a rule left behind a good deal of irritation. The question was a difficult one to handle because a good deal or difference of opinion existed. There W ®J® many people who could not see how the country residents derived pleasure from a, day or two’s racing. They associated rambling and ruffianism of the worst kind with race meetings. As a matter cf race a country meeting was looked forward to by the residents as the one day a year on which everybody could meet on common platform and enjoy one another s corn pi. nv. He had attended such meetings sii;he was a boy, and had never soon any harm come to anyone as a result of their presence at such « at “ er r ings. He had seen more harm—and that of a lifelong character—dono as the result of a Sunday school picmo than at any race meeting. They were all of opinion that injustice had been done owing to the shortening of the days of racing. Population was increasing by leaps and bounds, but there was no proportionate increase in racing. Instead there was a cutting down of the days. They anew that in approaching Mr Massey they came to a man who sympathised with them —a person who would see to it that fair play and justice were meted out to all. At their confereucee they had decided to promote a Bill for B^-’mls^ lcl s to Parliament this session. They had done the same thing twelve months ago, but the measure was not passed. I hey were determined to fight until they got their rights, and if this years Bill had the same fate as the last one, it would turn up again the following year and so on, like, a good old. hardy annual, until at last it was adopted. , They would ask the Government to promise that the mea6iire would not •b& treated as a party question. It would be a private member s Bill, and all they desired •was that it should get fair play- If a majority of the House were in favour of it they wanted an assurance that it would be passed that the forms of the House would not be aUowed to stand in its way as fay as the Government was concerned. FAZE HEARING URGED.

Mr J. Evans (Westland) said the deputation’s main point was that the Goveminent should allow the Bill to a fair hearing. It. was understood that the racing legislation recently passed was to he for one year only, and that at the end of that period the various representations of the racing authorities would come up itor review. The year had gone by, and the clubs now thought the time was ripe for assistance to be sought. The Bill that would be introduced proposed to restore the position existing before the passing of the 1910 Act. The request was not unreasonable. The question had been before the country for two years, and aU tho members of Parliament were thoroughly conversant with the They would be perfectly satisfied if the Bill had what Mr Massey himself had said in regard to Labour—“a equate deal." NOT ANTAGONISTIC TO CITIES. 'Mr G. Renner (Marlborough) stressed .mo point that no member of the Country • Racing Conference was antagonistic to the metropolitan clubs, but they were all of opinion that country clubs deserved as much consideration as the metropolitan clubs. He referred to the splendid horses that had been produced in country districts, many of which had helped to make metropolitan meetings a success. Mr T. Buchanan. (Waitara) eald the centralisation of racing meant the centralisation of gambling. He referred to "Battleaxe" and other "heroes" of the turf who had started theii racing careers at country meetings. If such clubs had not existed these horses might never have been heard of, and New Zealand would have been, tho loser. Mr J. McCardle (Pahiatua) mode speedai reference to the Pahiatua Club, which ■was wiped out as the result of the Eaotog Commission’s report. The Government, he said, was anxious for people to go on the land and live an isolated existence. When this was done, everything possible was adopted to curtail their amusements and sport. The country people were asked to 'go into ’ the large towns if they wanted to attend a race meeting. Country life was not nearly attractive enough. AH their little pleasures were being cut off. He gave details, of the position of the Pahiatua Club, with a view to showing that a serious hardship had been done the residents by their meeting being wiped out. ; MR ESCOTT’S VIEW. Mr J. H. Escort, M.P. for Pahiatua, was of opinion that gambling would be minimised if the metropolitan club*’ racing days were out down and given- to the country. He was not quite clear what the proposed Bill intended to enact. ,[f it was intended to give an unlimited number of permits he would oppose the measure, but he added, “If it ts a reasonable Bill, fairly apportioning the permits as between metropolitan and country clubs, without increasing the number of permits the law now allows, then I wiU favour it." He did not want to he misunderstood. If a Bill came down giving unlimited scope for gambling he would be no party to it.

PBIME MINISTER

IN FAVOUR OF GENUINE SPORT.

In reply the Prime Minister said it n-as correct only to a certain extent that the arrangement made after the report of the Racing Commission was to remain in operation for twelve months. It was right as far as the possibilities of adjustment were concerned, bnt incorrect as far as the number of racing days was concerned. The law stipulated for 250 days, and that could only be. altered by legislation. He agreed that hardship had been inflicted in certain cases. (Hear, hear.) He thought it quite right that the country clubs should take the necessary stops to have their grievances remedied. No attempt would lie made on the part of, the Government to make the proposed private member’s Bill a party question. Every member of the House would bo free to do what he liked —to express any opinion and vote as he chose. (Hear, hear.) He was glad to see that they were not requesting the Government to introduce legislation on the question. A private member’s Bill would be sufficient to show them the attitude that members generally would take up. He did not know what the Bill intended to provide—whether, it would increase the number of racing days, or merely readjust them. The Government was in favour of promoting genuine sport, and would place no difficulties in the way of

it. Ho was quite aware that New Zealand horses had claimed distinction in Australia, England, and America. He hoped whatever happened in the future, that wa would still bo able to breed as good horses as wo had done for the last twenty years. “I hopo as time goes on, ho concluded, "that without giving any encouragement to gambling—and I am dead against that—wo will bo able to make arrangements will bo satisfactory to all concerned. MR BELL IN ACCORD. The Hon. H. D. Bell said he was entirely in accord with tho Prime Minister. As far as his department was concerned in the matter he would be most happy to transfer the racing question to any other department. It was not a question of party—no question! of licensing was. Members would just vote as they thought fit. ASSURANCE GIVEN. j£ r E. W. Alison (Takapuna): Have wo an assurance, Mr Massey, that the Bill to be introduced will get a square deal”—that an opportunity will be given Parliament to decide for or against? Mr Massey: I can assure you that your Bill will get a “square deal”—a fair run. (Applause.) _