RACING TAXATION

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18756, 12 July 1935, Page 8

RACING TAXATION

AGITATION RENEWED HOPE FOE RELIEF SOON LEADERS OF HOUSE APPROVE (Special to tho Heral*l.) WELLINGTON, this day. The question of relief of the sport of racing from the heavy burden oi taxation under which it has carried on for many years past was again referred to bv the president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, Mr J. S. Mcleod, in his opening address to-day, when the delegates of racing districts gathered to discuss an impressive list- of subjects The preident voiced the hope that some results would accrue in the near future from the repeated representations made-to the Government, and that the-wishes of a “contentious minority” in the House of Representatives would no longer be allowed to prevent a true expression of the majority opinion of Parliamentarians on the issue of racing taxation. On this Subject the president- stated : “The excessive taxation imposed upon racing still continues despite the oft repeated protests of your conference. If the Government would reduce the crippling totalisator tax to a more reasonable and just amount its revenue would surely be ' increased. The clubs would be able to give stakes which would retain the support of owners and consequently the earnings of trainers and joekevs and the army of employees engaged in racing would he raised to a standard commensurate with their employment. REBATE RELIEF “We appreciate the action of the Government in giving a modicum of relief by the rebate of 1 per centum of totalisator duty to clubs up to July 31, 1936. This has undoubtedly been a relief to many clubs, particularly country clubs, and we hope the Government will continue the rebate beyoud the .period stated. Wo have failed to impress the Government with the situation which exists, that taxation still remains excessive compared with other totalisator countries. The cost of transport by the railways to travel racehorses for any distance prevents many owners from racing their horses far from their home quarters. As a result of the financial crisis racing stakes are now so small that racing has become localised. This is not in the interests of the prestige of racing or the encouragement ot breeding high class horses. “It must be obvious to all and painfully acknowledged that td-day Australia is claiming our high-class horses, as racing is cheaper there and stakes larger. The continued loss of this type of horse from our racecourses will reduce the interest of our best supporters. There is a large section of the racing public who without any thought of gain will travel far to see contests between great horses. I need not remind you of tire many occasions the great enjoyment you have had in watching contests of this nature. lam keen, therefore, that clubs should retain weight-for-age races as far as possible. In fact .1 recommend this conference to adopt a rule whereby any club holding four or more days racing shall include one weight-for-age race for every two days racing held in the fiat racing season.

“You are aware of the fate of the Gaining Bill which was before Parliament last session. The Hon. E. It. •Davis introduced the bill in the Upper House, anil it met with a particularly favorable reception. The voting for double totalisator was 19 for and 2 against, and for the publication of dividends 18 for .and 3 against. After this decisive attitude of approval by the Legislative Council we were justified in expecting the consent of the Lower House. However, this was not to be, and although we were satisfied that we were assured of a majority in that House if a vote could be taken, this was denied to us as previously on so many occasions with other gaining, bills. We have to thank the lion. E. It. Davis for hi,s determined attempt to have the hill passed. Apparently time will not he given to’ private members’ Hills to obviate defeat by being talked out by a contentious'minority in the Lower House, although the merits of the bill, as in this case, received the intelligent support of the Upper House and deserved a vote to be taken. Our only chance of success appears to he to try and so impress the Government, that it may see it is to its advantage to satisfy the just desires of a largo section of the community to concede to them what they are justly entitled to by the Government itself fathering the legislation. Wo certainly had the support of the Governmentno to a point, as the leaders of the House expressed their approval of our desires.