TROTTING PARLIAMENT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24347, 11 July 1940, Page 13

TROTTING PARLIAMENT

ANNUAL" MEETING OF DELEGATES PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS <Peb! : United Press Association) '■'. .*.-' : WELLINGTON, July 10. In the course of his presidential address to delegates attending the New Zealand Trotting Conference to-day, Mr H.. F. Nicoll naid a tribute to the . memory' of several men . prominently : associated with the sport who had died during";the year, making special refer- | ence to the less the Dominion had sustained with the passing of the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage. "He was a very live force amongst the people in the Dominion, and his personal qualities were of the highest," said Mr Niccll. "We miss him in the trotting-world, because he attended bur meetings whenever he was able to do so, and he was a good friend to the sporting institutions.'.';. When interviewed just •; before he became Prime Minister, he said: 'The Labour Party is not,composed of a set of long-faced Puritans, many of v its members enjoying raping .personally. I trust that the sport of trotting will always thrive and give tre people amusement and recreation.' "Whilst we are recording our "regret at the loss of our friends,, it will,be the desire of the conference at the same time, to register the expression •of bur deep sympathy and sorrow with the families* of those who have already given their lives for our country," added the ; president. ■. .• Taxation "We have always paid the taxes imposed upon us cheerfully, so long as we were able to do so, but the dayss appear, to be with us when the limit -has been, reached and is overflowing," declared the president. " This financial year has seen "a great increase in the amount of taxation paid by clubs. First, the allowance of the rebate of one-flfth of the totalisator tax-has been cancelled. This remission, when in being, in the case of many clubs, constituted the difference between a profit or a loss on their annual operations, and its cancellation -has caused them serious anxiety. In addition, the social security taxation is being imposed on revenue from all income excepting members' subscriptions. "Additional income tax is also being . charged on the amount received for privileges. All of this new taxation has been closely examined, and. apart from an allowance for upkeep of the premises used by caterers, we have found it impossible to secure any relief or consideration.. "Whilst we fully appreciate the real necessity of the Government to obtain all possible revenue from every source, it is ; our duty to call attention to the strangling effect existing taxation is having on many country clubs. It is not doubted that, besides, the two clubs who; have been unable to race this yearbecause of the taxation, the coming year. will find others fading out. Thisas no time to agitate or to make complaints.-' but" 'the *•' attention of Cabinet is- being drawn tothe position, and we can only hope that they may be able to give it their .consideration.\,; " The upkeep of:each course arid the daily Wages, paid out for race meetings yuns into many thousands of pounds a year:ah'd"the cessation of"racfng oh this account alone would, cause much privation toi ;■■]■ 'feet ■- : . ■:,. Extra Permits ';-'•"'-■' "The majority of our clubs have been fretting for many years for more permits. ""This conference has done all '.possible to obtain them, and we have ' promises for consideration in due course.,; The present time, however, is not < opportune to further pursue this subject, arid we can well agree to let it rest until the great victory has been won. and the nation recommences its daily life. . >- f - -.- • > \ ' X Officials "We have again .'to thank but pendiary stewards and racecourse inspectors for their uniformly satisfactory work and devotion to their duties.' Only those who are able to scan the details of their Operations are' able to realise the' great influence they silently wield for good on and around our racecourses. Those who are responsible for the inner working of turf affairs, and of the often irksome duties of the several authorities, know well that we are anxious and willing to listen to any advice or suggestion that may be made for the carrying on and improvement of trotting.: We are.genuinely grateful for helpful criticism. If onlv people who desire'to criticise would.first endeavour to understand their subject and would study both sides of the .question, their statements would carry more weight than is usual nowadays. Totalisator Investments " The totalisator turnover* has remained satisfactory to the majority of the clubs, though with the present petrol and railway restrictions it is going to be extremely difficult for many clubs to carry on. " The amount. invested shows small variation compared with the previous year, and as the whole of the money circulated'by-this means remains in New Zealand, with a very considerable portion paying; tribute to the finances of the country, the value of this branch of trotting is self-apparent. With no proprietary interests,; all the money received by the clubs from this source of the totalisator is returned to owners in stakes, excepting for a minor proportion which is expended on improvements and upkeep of racecourses. That the pastime is carried on by owners for the love of the game is definite, because we know that few can. balance their sporting budget year by year. The wages, added to feed, saddlers, veteain--1 ary and blacksmiths' accounts, together with railway and other travelling expenses, add up to an amount which no ' one who has not had the experience of ownership can appreciate. . Apprentices "In 1938 rules were passed dealing with apprentice drivers. The association, in conjunction with the stipendiary stewards, has used its best endeavours to make the scheme a success, but it has been found that it is impossible for trainers to obtain the necessary youths for apprentices. Your executive, in consultation with the association, therefore decided that these rules should be allowed to remain in abeyance for the duration of the war. When the time is opportune the cooperation of all those interested will *> again be called for, and no doubt this good project will become workable. Race Meetings "When reviewing last season's racing we have to record some disappointments, but also many cheerful features Our disappointment;-, perhaps, are small ones, and amongst them can be \ mentioned the lack of any outstanding horse or performance such as we have been able to note in previous years. We have witnessed a year where many horses have performed eonsistently and well. Perhaos the best record during the 12 months"was,that of Blah; Athol, who won at Addington over one mile and a-half in 3min 11 3-ssec. and Plutus. who ran second over the same distance at New Brighton in similar-time., and the two-year-olds who went close to 2min lOsec for a mile at Timaru. But we do not appear to have;found a favourite to rival our old fields in popularity and appeal to the public, such as we have had in recent years in Harold Logan. Wrackler. Sea Gift. Lawn Derby. Indianapolis and Roi I'Or.v In view of the many serious disabilities under which clubs have been operating durin*? the past season, they can- be- congratulated upon their successful endeavour and unon the really v.-ond r rftu\-sUPP°rt afforded to them by the public.". ' \ REMITS CARRIED . IPeb United Press Association) ■V WELLINGTON. July 10. The Trotting Conference carried a remit sponsored by the New Zealand Metropolitan Club for the inclusion of one two-mile race for pacers on all programmes. ••- . ' The alteration to rule 40 to mdem-