SPORTING.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14139, 15 July 1916, Page 7

SPORTING.

RACING CONFERENCE

[United Pksss Association.]

Wellington, July 14. Sir-George Clifford, in his presidential address at the Racing Conference today, stated that in carrying on during the war the institution of racing they had added to other utilities much direct benefit to the community.' The "puerile demand for cessation of racing" was the cry of the uninstructed. Those who repeated it little understood the vital importance of the supply of suitable horses for defence purposes, nor could they have realised that thoroughbred horses were essential to their production. In addition racing clubs had made a magnificent response to the financial needs of the time. Voluntary contributions totalled £45,942 10s Cd, and taxation' paid to the Government £260,669 16s lOd, making a total of £306,612 7s 3d. The president added- "Is this a record of useless frivolity? Let the next brilliant charge of British cavalry reply. Let the permanent help to" our unarmed fellowcitizens answer."

The Conference) reappointed the members of the Stipendiary Stewards' Committee.

Judges were appointed to go into the question of removing the disqualification imposed in connection with the running of Croesus.

The Conference decided that in future the-riders of the first four horses in\arace be required to weigh in (instead of only the riders of the placed horses). A remit was adopted that boys disqualified for- "obvious pull" should be given the right of appeal. A motion by the president that the Conference appoint l'acecourse deteotives for all meetings was lost