RACING AND THE WAR.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14244, 12 March 1917, Page 7

RACING AND THE WAR.

A STRONG- PROTEST.

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, last night

Mr M. J. Mack, of the Third Wellington Military Service Board, holds very strong views about racing in war time. A recent case before ,itlie Board was that of a man who is a starter for various clubs, at their periodical meetings. He enlisted on January 23 for duty on April 2, but he applied to the Board i'ov an extension of time until May 2 on the ground that if this leave were given him he could earn at meetings which occur during the month of April fees amounting to £105. The Board granted leave until April 28.

Mr Mack lias put in .the following minority judgment : "I regret to have to dissent from the finding of the majority of the Board, on the ground that I do not regard horse-racing as an essential industry, and, further, that there is not the slightest doubt in my mind that horse-racing is absorbing a large number of men who could be more profitably employed. The appellant's ground of the loss of £105 in fees is unworthy of consideration when compared with the sacrifices made by the small farmers, business men and others."