THE TROTTING CONFERENCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3200, 14 July 1915, Page 50

THE TROTTING CONFERENCE

At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Trotting Conference, held in Wellington on Tuesday morning, the president said in the course of his address that it was difficult for him to refrain from making some reference to the grave crisis the British nation is passing through. Since their last meeting- New Zealand had lost many gallant sons; but, although counted dead, they would still live on, and their spirits call to one and all of us to “carry on ” and do the Empire’s bidding. Consequent upon the war our sport, as with other forms of outdoor recreation, has been seriously affected. Not only have the ranks of our riders, drivers, and trainers been depicted of good horsemen, but there has also been a thinning out of well-bred horses, which have either been sold, presented, or taken by their owners to the front. He did not agree with the suggestion that an extra taxation should be imposed upon racing. Many clubs have subscribed very liberally to the Patriotic Funds, and devoted all their profits from their meetings for the benefit of such funds. Why should spoils clubs he singled out from the rest of the population and be taxed_ in addition to what they have already given hi men and money in their unselfish patriotism? “I maintain,” said the president, “ that a special tax should not be imposed upon any one class or any pastime of the community, and I have no doubt that those who are urging this matter along are directing their energies chiefly against totalisator racing and trotting clubs. Horseracing is not only a wholesome sport, but one that docs good service in many ways to the country. The highly-bred stallions, both racing and trotting, that have been imported not only keep racehorses up to a high standard, but they also improve the standard, the character, and stamina of the general utility horse. Take away racing, and automatically the standard of our horses falls; and horse-breeders, with their extensive establishments—dotted all over New Zealand, —and consequently largo staffs to work them and broad acres to food them, would have no further inducement to continue their valuable industry. If we find, as undoubtedly we should, that in conscqenco there is a dearth of suitable horses for all requirements, particularly for war purposes, no ’ scheme on the part of the Government or anybody would" take the place of those who at present breed racehorses. Originally the Government tax was per cent. It was then raised to 2£ per cent,, and in recent years there was a further tax of 2g per cent, imposed. Considering that the combined racing and trotting clubs will, by the end of the present racing season, have paid into the Consolidated Fund considerably over £IOO-000. and have voluntarily contributed £20,000 to the Patriotic Funds and various channels to augment the war funds, is it fair or reasonable to load them with further taxation, which would necessarily block them from carrying out their promises, already made, to donate further largo sums as the war progresses? The question might be fairly asked. ‘ Can the clubs bo reasonably expected to do more, and. if so. would their funds allow each and all of them to make i a further payment in the shape of a fresh j tax ?’ ” j Regarding the question of stipendiary 1 stewards, I am pleased that at least one club has seen fit to in eve in the matter. •

For years past I have strongly advocated the appointment of stipendiary stewards, and have frequently pointed out many advantages to bo derived from their services As I am fully convinced that the proposal should be adopted without further unnecessary delay, and as the trend of public opinion is in that direction, I wish to emphasise more strongly than ever the importance of the matter. One of the chief advantages would be that the stewards travelling from meeting to meeting would have special opportunities cf noting the running of the horses and the behaviour of the riders and drivers, and would be able to advise the honorary in matters that occur at every meeting. Moreover, having a thorough knowledge of racing law, they would save time and trouble by offering expert advice 911 the spot. Whilst advocating the services of stipendiary stewards at all our meetings I do nob say that the sport is any worse than formerly, but it has outgrown our present system of control. The whole question is one of grave importance to the future of trotting, and I would recommend the matter as a very urgent one for your serious consideration. Speaking in reference to the time-gaited trotter the President said: “While Mr 1 Hunter’s' Gaming Bill was before Parliament I heard the debate in the House, and judged what the opinions of members were regarding the trotting horse. In discussing his merits as an all-round utility horse and the claims of trotting to a fairer allocation of the new licenses, the general .impression seemed to be that .the pure-gaited trotter should be encouraged. Particularly at this time it is well for the racing not to be too conservative in this matter, for every inducement should be given to the horse that is best fitted for -the needs of the country. The production of speed for speed’s sake should be a secondary consideration. Aft'-r all that the conference ; has clone in the past to encourage the trotter, can anything bo more' discouraging than to find a club moving in an opposite direction ? Some years ago a rule was adopted that whore eight races are run in a day there shall he at least two for unhoppied trotters. Now, the _ club in question proposes to sweep this right out of the ; code. Whether the rule be struck out or j not, that ’rower to clubs still exists.” The j President spoke strongly in favour of class j racing, and said he was confident that if j a system of short-limit racing wore adopted j it would prove an all-round success. “In ! our own racing we have raised the trotting | horse, from very raw material to what it | is to-day—an almost perfect typo of light- ; harness horse. Yet whilst ho has very con- | siderably improved his speed, can wo say i We have improved his class of racing? We , have free-for-all racing, not very frequently; the New Brighton Trotting Club has instituted its Derby Stakes, and here and there the classes have been _ tightened up, but, tbo time surely has arrived when we could cater for something fresh for the public taste. They no doubt love to sec the greatest speed and the fastest horse j win. The former is certainly seen very 1 often, hut the latter seldom. As in former years. I have had tabulated the usual statistics (which are before you), showing the operations of the clubs during the past season. There has been a steady increase in the prize-money, which this year amounts to a little over £68,000, as against £53.000 odd last year. Those figures do not include any reference to the racing clubs which encourage trotting, and which- subscribed approximately £7OOO to trotting , races on their programmes.” j

tb 53 Club. to .3 1 8 Ph o5 O Qj . a e3 V3 o N.Z. Metropolitan Auckland a 4 3 « 9 7 03 Ct| t-l £19,800 £16,665 56 8.370 7.470 For bury Park 3 6 48 7,375 4,530 Canterbury Park.. 2 4 32 5£30 New Brighton o 4 32 4,030 3,615 Otahnhu n Ashburton ... 2 o 4 2 32 16 3,360 2,685 3,080 2,050 Greymouth , ki . „ Gore Westport „ Wanganui ,, 2 4 32 2.420 2,405 1 1 1 1 2 2 8 10 14 1,105 1.020 1,000 900 1,000 600 Oamaru 1 x 8 700 500 South Canterbury 1 i 7 630 Hutt Valley .. .. 1 i 8 535 South VVairarapa.. Waikato 1 X i i 7 7 500 500 500 Nelson Waimate Plains ... 1 1 i i 7 450 440 450 Inangahua 1 i 8 425 Manawatu 1 i 7 430 Poverty Bay ,. 1 i 7 330 Westland ., 1 i 6 300 Marlborough 1 i 7 300 Southland ... ,. Horowhenua ,. ,. 1 1 i i 7 7 255 235 255 Granitv Winton .. .. Eaikoura ,, ,. 1 1 1 i i i 5 6 7 200 130 110 125 130 40 62 479 £63,225 £53 ; 415