THE RACING CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 21, 19 July 1911, Page 5

THE RACING CONFERENCE.

"MAINTAINING A NOBLE SPORT IN A NOBLE MANNER."

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, Tuesday. The annual conference of delegates of racing clubs waa opened to-day, Sir George Clifford presiding. In his address the president mentioned that the gravest moment during the past season nod been the enactment of further legislation affecting horse racing. So far as this reversed the previous imposition of the baneful system of licensed bookmakers, it must meet with cordial approval Unfortunately, during last session the Act went further and decreed the contraction of aport by a rather peremptory process. "To fortify ourselves against future attacks," added! Sir George Clifford, "we should aim a« a higher standard in the appointments of our racecourses, and afford such pro. rision for the comfort of spectators at may increase the popularity of tit healthy open-air sport. It is remark. able that our opponents consist almost wholly of those who have no personal knowledge of the subject of their invective. Without waiting for a desirable change of prejudiced opinion, if behoves us to combine for the preservation of our rights to all rational amuse- ' ment not inconsistent with moral obligations. The true defence, if'one wen needed, was in establishing m mm > M .. minds that.our aim*, our processes, aotf our practices are above suspicion*. "' Never in the history e*raci«%rliatf'a "'■: country a better opportunity for main? taiaing a noble sport in the noblest manner. It was decided' that the trustees be instructed to bring up at the next conference a statement dealing with- the accident fund.

MEETING THE COUNTRY CLUBS. The president reported having received a deputation representing a certain number of counitfy clubs. He had assured the deputation that if anything could be done to remove the grievance*, whether actual or imagined, it was desirable to clear away such obstacle*. There was an assumption that the conference was a sort of racing parliament, with metropolitan clubs arranged on one side and country clubs on the other. Nothing could be further from the truth. The delegates of country clubi on the conference were emphatic in their contradiction of the implication. , H» gave notice to move that a committee be set up to consider the constitution and report ae to the feasibility of giving effect to the deputation's representations —i.e., (1) equal representation of country and metropolitan clubs on the conference; and (2) the suggested setting up of a New Zealand Jockey dub.

DATES OF MEETINGS. Wellington, Tuesday. The Racing Conference dates of meetings hitherto existing were approved, subject to certain alterations rendered necessary by the Racing Commission's report. The Wellington Club was allowed October 21 and 23 for the spring meeting and July 17 and.2o! for tfte- winter meeting. Maimwatu was allowed the usual tfates, with Decetober 26, 27, and 29 for the summer melting. Marfan, January 1 and 2; Taraiaai and Carterton, December 2; Dannevirke, September 13; Hawke's Bay, May 1 and 2 and June 20 and 21; Masterton, t» change from March 21 and 22 to March 28 and 20; and Wanganni, May 24 and 26. YESTERDAY'S SITTINGS. Wellington, Last Night. At the Racing Conference to-dav Uie stipendiary stewards' committee submitted a suggestion providing for the appoinifjnant of stipendiary stewards. Mr. Nokn, moving to this effect, said they must make racing more palatable. The president raid the carrying oi the motion would make appointments mandatory. Several country mcmbcTS expressed Vhe opinion that they should ascertain what the proposal would cost the country clubs. The Hon. O. Samuel moved an amendment that a stipendiary stewards' committee lie elected with power to appoint stipendiary stewards provided no part of the expense incurred would fall on the club whose meeting was unattended by the stipendiary steward. Sir George "Clifford, Bart., expressed < the opinion that appointments should he made, as besides keeping the sport clean, it would gh'c the public confidence. The IToni O. Samuel withdrew from his amendment the provision concernvn«! clubs whore-." vtewwrdft did not attend, and Mr. Nolan them intimated his willingness to giW way to the amendment. The Hon. J. D. Ormond supported' the proposal strongly. On being put to the vote, the division wast Ayes 21, noes (?). As. however, a three-fourths majority was required to carry a motion of fftie kind, it was declared IosSL

A Wanganui remit urged the appointment of a committee to consider the advisa-bteness of establishing a New Zealand Jockey Club. This was withdrawn on the conference appointing the following committee to consider the constitution of the conference and the government of racing generally, and the feasibility of improving the same:—Hons. J. D. Ormond, B. Mitchelson, 0. Samuel, and Messrs. McVay, Bidwill, Nolan, Guinness, and Friedlander.

The following were appointed a datet committee:—Messrs. Friedlander (chairman), Abbott, Goodfoehere, Miller, McVav, and 1 Hood-Williams. The conference closed with the unanimouse re-election: of Sir George Clifford to the presidency.