SIR J. WARD'S AUDRESS AT THE RACING CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2471, 24 July 1901, Page 53

SIR J. WARD'S AUDRESS AT THE RACING CONFERENCE.

Sir Joseph Ward (Colonial Secretary) in addressing the conference, said he thanked the, chairman for the kindly mention of the iionoul recently conferred upon him. During the year 112 had, as the head of the department which governed racing, to administer the work m connection with the conference, through their chairman. Any representations made by Sir G. Clifford had been attended to to the best of his ability. His object was to co-operate with tht; governing body in endeavouring to improve the sport and make it acceptable to the body of the people. One or two matters had come under his notice, which he would mention, as he desired them to be in a position to know what h* was doing. Sir Joseph explained that a deputation had waited upon him the previous day with reference to what was considered an arbitrary rule passed by the conference last year. The Colonial Secretary read a letter he had received from Mr F. Lawry, M.H.R., one of the persons affected by such rule, and Sir George Clifford's reply thereto. He tonic) on'y say it was not his duty to interfere in the matter. He had to dispense the act as he found it, and endeavour to put a stop to any scandals in connection with racing. If theie was anything in the rules of racing to can c strained feelings with the Trotting Association, he hoped the matter would be amicably settled. He had not yet perused the report of the conference for the year, but understood it had been sent to him. The total number of permits allotted for theforthcoming season was 126 for racing clubs, and 28 for trotting clubs. There wou'd be no more issued dining the year. The difficulties between the Palmerston South and Waikouaiti Clubs he had endeavoured to settle by the issue of one permit to the two clubs to be used alternately. So far no satisfactory arrangement had been made He thought the matter of the distribution of permits should be settled at the earliest possible moment. The clashing of dates by the Kumara and Hokitika Clubs would, no doubt, be satisfactorily arraaiged by the conference. He thonght it only right to inform them that the outcome of the proposed legislation to increase the number ol permits issued had resulted in a clamour by clubs for extra permits, and an outcry by people who thought the permits should be reduced. He tb.ougb.fj the difnculty could be overcome by some of th.6 smaller dubs amalgamating. The Government had decided that no legislation 111 the duectiou mentioned would be introduced at present. Re presentations had also been made in tbe mat ter of the suppression of the evil known as "tote betting,' and the removal of undesirable characters from racecourses. These matters had been considered, and the Government bad decided it was not desirable to introduce legis lation to deal with these matters. He congratulated the conference on the conduct of theii business.

The Chairman, in reply, stated he considered it wou'cl have been better had the deputation, mentioned by the Colonial Secretary gone to the conference, .who were always willing to meet anybody with a supposed grievance in a fair and reasonable manner. They had passed no resolution disqualifying anybedv, let alone those gentlemen mentioned by the deputation. The Auckland Racing "Club had found that the rule? were being infringed, and according to the lulee they had 110 option but to disqualify peisons taking oart at those meetings. The oaly waj to reach unregistered meetings wp.s to disqualify persons taking part thereat. Steps would be taken to remove such disqualification, which occurred in connection with pony racing. On the motion of the representative ol the Auckland Racing club this matter would be considered by the conference. The racing authorities would see that innocent people dirl not suffer. The position had been caused by mixing trotting and racing, which was considered necessary in some localities. In some places tiotting was allowed at race meetings. The conference held strongly that flat races at trotting meetings must be under the control of the rpcing authorities. He pointed out that if pony, races were allowed to be imdei the control o] the Trotting: Association, some clubs would in? scrt other races which would lead to gallop, hack, hunter, and other races. Thi<3 wculq cause a grave difficulty. Racing and trotting should be limited to the control of the respective associations. He trusted the Colonial Secre* tury would see there were no mixed meetings. The Trotting Association and Racing Conference were desiious of being on exceedmgls fiicridly terms towards each other.

Sii Joseph Ward said he clearly understood the difficulty. He would write to the president of both bodies askins; each to agree not to have mixpd meetings. He hoped the aspect of the tioub'es between tha governing bodies would not go any further. He thought wisei counsels would prevail and a reciprocal feeling exist.

Hon. Geo. M'Lean ventured the onimon that the Colonial Secretary would find a difficulty in tlit- matter, to which Sii Joseph responded that the veolies received would answer.

Eefore Sir Joseph left the room the conference passed a resolution thanking hiai [or his address.