POLITICAL INFLUENCE

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

POLITICAL INFLUENCE

SETTING THE HEATHER ALIGHT. SPECIAL TO THE ‘‘TIMES.” OjERISTOHURCH, July 21. Commenting on the question of racing permits, the “Star” says Nothing has occurred since the beginning of the last racing year to warrant the Government in uosetting the arrangements thenadopted. At any rate, nothing that has occurred can be held to justify preferential treatment of specially-tavoured clubs. One could understand the new Government declaring that it disagreed with tho general policy of curtailment, and announcing its intention to P™poso legislation accordingly. But what has happened is that the Government has yielded to political pressure Horn one favoured district, ana the Eangitik-i Club ie given two days’ racing—one at the expense of the Marton Club and one at the expense of the Canterbuiy Jockey Club, the leading racing club of the Dominion. The Canterbury representatives have apparently submitted to this arrangement without complaining, but there need bo no doubt that if the sporting men from this part of the Dominion had cared to apply pressure, Mr Massey’s Government would have haa to look elsewhere for the means of accommodating tho Eangitikei people. The obvious course for the Government to follow in regard to the Eangitikei application was to decline to interfere with the racing dates. If it had to take action it should sitnply have transferred back to Eangitikei the two extra days that had been given bo Marten. Marton would have had no cause for complaint, and public feeling outside this particular district would not have been irritated. But the concession to Rangitikei has set the heather alight, and already the country clubs • are clamouring loudly for consideration, it is easy to guess what the result will be. The Prime Minister has promised that he will put no obstacle in the way of a reasonable Bill to amend the existing law. and it goes without saving that it an amending Bill is tabled every district wiU insist 1 on receiving attentionBre&ent indications suggest that the Conservatives will favour a return to the old system of issuing totalisator permits, but until there is an amendment of the law Mr Massey and his colleague in charge of this division of the much-divided Department of Internal Affairs will have hard work trying to satisfy angry racing men.