RESTRICTING THE USE OF THE TOTALISATOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1921, 14 September 1888, Page 25

RESTRICTING THE USE OF THE TOTALISATOR.

A special general meeting of the Dunedin Jockey Club was held in Philp's Hotel, Rattray street, on Saturday evening, for the consideration of the proposed rules affecting the use of the totalisator. About a dozen members were present, and the chair was taken by the Hon. G. M'Lean, the president of the club,'

The Hon.G. M'Lean said: Gentlemen, I have made so many speeches of late about the totalieator that I am not now going to make a long speech, or to detain you for any time while expressing my opinions regarding it. We are met here to discuss proposed rules that have been pretty unanimously agreed to by the metropolitan clubs throughout New Zealand. This club felt some difficulty about agreeing to one of these rules, seeing that it would affect some nine of our clubs. We must, however, set our house in order in respect to this matter, because of the manner in which the use of the totalisator has been abused ; though I cannot say that much abuse of it has taken place in Otago, for here the racing has been carried on in a legitimate way. Still it has become a matter of necessity that _ we should adopt rules that will restrict the use of the totalisator in places where it has been abused. The abuse of the totalisator has been brought so prominently before the Legislature that we have to face the question of doing away with it or restricting it ; hence our proposal to join the other clubs in passing these rules. Before proposing the adoption of the rules, wo sent a circular to the nine clubs in Otago that will be affected by them. Two of those clubs have concurred in the adoption of these rules ; one has sent in objections which are not very material, and information has been received to the effect that another club is defunct. The other five have remained silent, and I suppose we can take sheir silence as signifying consent to the adoption of the proposed rules. Of course we have been very anxious to carry all these clubs with us. We did not want them to imagine that we desired to act in a high-handed manner, and of course someone must suffer by the passing of restrictive rules, the rules cannot be framed so as to have an equal effect upon all ; but it is a very small concession that we ask from any of theae clubs in asking them to agree to these rules. There has been so little objection offered to these proposals that-I think ib very desirable we should agree with the other metropolitan clubs and have uniform rules throughout. New Zealand, and with that view I

shall move that the various rules as placed before you be adopted. In order to avoid any difficulties that might arise with some of the upcountry clubs by suddenly bringing intp operation these rules, we propose to postpone bringing them into force until the first of January next, so that they will come into operation at the beginning of the clubs' year. That, I think, will smooth the way for the clubs, and not lead to difficulty in the way of the clubs working harmoniously, for the sport of racing will be carried on much better by the racing clubs working with unanimity. I should be very sorry if any rule we may pass should cause disturbance among the clubs ; but I must say, realizing the importance of keeping the totalisator going, these rules must be accepted. Everyone must feel that the totalisator has been the means of providing funds for legitimate racing, and anyone who understands the matter, or who thinks it out, must come to the conclusion that of all systems of betting the totalisator is the most equitable and the most conducive to that honest racing which we all desire. Therefore, gentlemen, without saying more I propose the adoption of the following rules : —

1. That all programmes should be submitted to the Metropolitan Club for approval. 2. That the programme, when submitted, should be accompanied, if required, by a properly audited balance sheet, showing the receipts and expenditure of the club for the past year ; and in no case shall any programme be passed unless it clearly appears from the balance sheet that all moneys received by the club has been expended in stakes, making improvements to the course and stands, or payment of interest and sinking fund on purchase money, or generally in the interest of racing. 3. That no club shall be allowed to hold moro than five meetings in the year. 4. That any club holding more than three meetings in the year must give an average of at least £500 per diem in stakes.

5. That any club holding three meetings in the ye*r must give an average of at least £400 per diem in stakes.

6. That any club holding two meetings in the year must give an average of at least £200 per diem in stakes.

7. That, subject to the foregoing rules and the rules of racing, there shall be no restriction as to the amount of money added by any club holding only one mefiting in the year. 8. These rules to take' effect from Ist January 1889. Mr J. A. Cook seconded the motion, which was carried nem. dis.

At a meeting of the Oamaru Tradesmen's Racing Club on Friday a circular was read from the Duuediu Jockey Club containing the proposed rules re the regulation of the totalisator. It was agreed to suggest that a conferense of representatives from all racing clubs in Otago should meet in Dunedin this month to draw up regulations for the conduct of racing and the use of totalisators. With regard to rules as proposed by the Dunedin Club, it was resolved that no objection be taken to No. 1 ; the committee decline to recognise No. 2, and disapprove of it in its entirety. No objection is taken to Nos. 3, 4, and 5, but with regard to No. 6 it is suggested that the minimum amount to be offered in a day's racing should be £100. It was decided to decline to recognise regulation No. 7. It was decided to point out that the Tradesmen's Club is of opinion that unless a conference takes place a satisfactory settlement of the difficulties surrounding the question would not bo arrived at.

Editou Witness, — Sir : Surely the members of the Dunedin Jockey Club must think up country racing men a lot; of easy goiog fellows that will allow themselves to be readily governed. The cool impudence of the proposed new rules to wipe out of existence the poor country clubs is simply immense. I maintain that the Hon. George M'Lean was a long way from the truth on Saturday last, when stating that it was the country clubs that encouraged the excessive use of the totalisator. Jfc is quite the opposite, as will be seen by any student of the M Turf Record." For instance, the last returns of racing in Otago and Southland show that there were about 40 country racing fixtures for the season, and their ; total machine receipts were about £23,000, against some £43,000 received by the Dunedin JoGkey Club alone. Surely this statement will show that it is the metropolitan rather than the country clubs that are promoting gambling. It is quite evident too that the country men will not tamely submit to the proposed arbitrary action of the city clubs trying to govern them without their consent, and the proposed new rules will make such a breach between town and country sportsmen as will not be readily healed. Why the proposed rules would close up half the old established small meetings, several of which were firmer before the present Dunedin Olub was constituted. The country people will never submit to the new rules, so the, sooner the i D.J.C. people reconsider them the better it will be for future sport. If lam not mistaken these new rules emanated from the fertile brain of Mr Stead, of Christchurch, and it is. easy to be seen that they would benefit men like him, but they would ruin up-country sport to the gain ef the large clubs. Hoping, Sir, that your sporting editor will give this matter due attention, — I am,&c, Tapanui, September 11. W. Quin. Editor Witness,— Sir : Will you allow ime on behalf of the Oamaru Tradesmen's Racing Club to protest against the action of the Dnuedin Jockey Club in passing rules restricting the use of the totalisator without first giving the several minor clubs an opportunity of discussing the matter at a properly constituted meeting. Out of the nine clubs to whom a circular and the proposed rules were sent, only two have concurred in their adoption. Another has sent in objections which it is stated are not very material. Another, it is stated, is defunct, and five others have remained silent. The club sending in objections, no doubt, applies to the Oamaru Tradesmen's Racing Club. I agree with the Hon. G. M'Lean that the objections so far as the Dunedin Jockey Club is selfishly concerned are not very material, but when the passing of the proposed rules virtually means the disbauding of all minor clubs, then I say the objections are most material so far as the Oamaru Tradesmen's Racing Club and all minor clubs are concerned, and for this reason the Oamaru Tradsmen's Racing Club decline to recognise the right of a few members of the Dunedin Jockey Club to pass rules restricting the use of the totalisator without first obtaining the approval and consent of the majority of the minor clubs, and it will ignore any rules so passed. The defunct club, I have little doubt, applies to the Oamaru Jockey Club. The club is still in existence, and although no circular letter or proposed rules were brought to the notice of its committee, I am able to say as a member of the committee that the Oamaru Jockey Club will support the proposed rules as modified by the O.T.R. Club.

In the event of the Dunedin Jockey Club attempting to enforce the rules as "passed, it is intended to solicit the co-operation of all minor clubs to act with the O.T.R Club in framing a code of rules, and thus act independently of the Dunedin Jockey Club. To say the least, the action by the few members of the Dunedin Jockey Club fn passing the proposed rules in the fa.cc of the objections

raised is a very high-handed one and must necessarily cause general dissatisfaction. By inserting the above you will oblige. — I am, &c, S. Bahton, V.P. O.T.R. Club. Oamaru, September 10.