TROTTING ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20767, 12 July 1929, Page 7

TROTTING ASSOCIATION.

ABOLITION PROPOSAL. DUNEDIN REMIT DEFEATED. "That the New Zealand Trotting Association be abolished. and district committees instituted in lieu thereof, and that the conference executive take steps to have the necessary alterations to the rules drafted for submission to a further meeting of the conference for approval and confirmation.” This remit, brought forward by the Forbury Park Trotting Club at the annual conference of trotting clubs in Wellington, resulted in a lengthy discussion, at the conclusion of which the remit was lost on the voices. Mr B. S. Irwin maintained that district committees ebuld be carried on very inexpensively. The conference would still be held, and the hands of the executive would not be tied in any way. It had been the experience of bis club, and, he understood, of other dubs, that it was difficult to secure the services of capable men to attend the monthly meetings of the association in Christchurch, whereas they would he willing to serve on district committees. Under the present system, the services of a large number of men were'lost to the sport. Mr Ir*iri stressed the ,fact that there was no suggestion of ill-feeling between his club and the association ■ The remit was seconded by Mr .1. Lilito (Winton), who said he was certain that the institution of district committees would be for the betterment of the sport. Without reflecting in any way on the,association, he felt that trotting was getting to big for the control of any one body of' men ' In reply to a question by Mr L. Cohen (Wanganui). Mr Irwin said that the country, should be cut up inti any number of districts that the "conference thought best. Mr C. G. Lockington (luangahua) said that he was instructed to oppose the remit on the ground that thfe move would tend to* do away with uniformity of penalty. Mr H. F. Morton (Timarii) asked whether the cost to the individual clubswould 'be more or less if the remit were carried. Mr Irwin. It would be less. The cost of the association is well over £2OOO a year and a very large item is travelling expenses. Mr B ,1. M'Kenna supported the remit, arguing that district committees would be able to deal with cases more quickly than the association. ’Mr L. J Brake (Whangarei) said he believed the time was not opportune foi the change, although he thought that ultimately it would come. At present, however, the new clubs had not sufficient men conversant with the finer points of the sport to sit on district committees. There were formerly two associations in New Zealand, said Mr J. Sharp (Wellington). but since one bad been in control the sport had been much better conducted. Mr Cohen opposed the .remit on the ground that it wa s necessary to be sure that the powers of the association were vested in men able to isolate themselves from local interest and influence. He considered that the question of expense was secondary. The chairman contended that the question of expense did not arise. In the past the only cost of the association to the clubs was an affiliation fee of £2 2s, and another fee of £2 2s for passing programmes If the remit were carried,' the trnYdlinc expenses of delegates, front country chibs would have to be paid. lu addition, the work of the conference would be enormously increased. The remit was rejected by a large majority.