MINISTERS' ASSOCIATION AND HORSE RACING.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10782, 2 June 1911, Page 1

MINISTERS' ASSOCIATION AND HORSE RACING.

To the Editor. Dear Sir, —It was with much surprise that I rend in this evening's Mail-Mr William Gardiner's criticism 'of the Ministers' Association's good work, and I cannot retire to rest before answering his pitiable effusion. I have always had a great respect for Mr William Gardiner and for his dominant personality, but 1 must confess to a feeling of grave disappointment over this matter. Mr Gardiner.makes a great point of the fact that when the Churches require money it is always obtained from those who attend race meetings and are what are qonmionly known as "'sports." Now, I should like to ask Mr Gardiner two questions, and to these I should like candid and straight answers: Firstly, When was he last inside a Church 'i Secondly: What does .he personally give to the Churches annually for their organs, wings, or other improvements ? Then, as to the King keeping racehorses, I fail to see what that has to do with us here in Oainaru. Again, Mr Gardiner mentions that racing in New Zealand is supported by Sir George Clifford, Sir _fieo. M'Lean, Messrs G. P. Donnelly, JVB. Beid, J,. F. Reid, etc., Why, dear me; I have always heard that these same men are large breeders and sellers of thoroughbreds for racing purposes, and naturally it pays them (or. ouglit to pay ,them) ' to support horse racing. It se£ms to me that the Ministers' Association considers that liorse racing does Tiarm to the community, and surely ia that case it. is entitled to the free_ expression of its opinion. I consider flint the rev-, mem-' hers of the Association (each and severally) are deserving of the greatest credit for the action they have taken in this matter, and ' in all matters at ;ill times for \ the best interest and moral welfare of this clean-living town of Oamaru.. Whether their opinions are those of Mr Gardiner or not, to me there is no excusing that gentleman's condemning the Association in a letter containing so much expressive language as "the one under review. Before closing, I should like to add a word of praise to those shopkeepers who- had the courage of their convictions and kept their premises open 011 the 24th May in spite of the North Otago Jockey Club. It is grossly unfair, I consider, that it should he suggested or even thought that these shopkeepers kept open" to catch a stray shilling or two,- and I .am quite sure that these gentlemen will not lose any business by taking the stand they have done on this occasion.—I. am, etc.