CABINET FORBEARANCE

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1930, Page 13

CABINET FORBEARANCE

THE TOTALISATOR LEVY CLUBS TO RETAIN FRACTIONS. MINISTER'S REPLY TO COMMENT By 'Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The proposed changes in the totalisator tax were discussed by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. P. A. de la Perrellc) in an interview. The Minister declared that an effort was being made to mislead racing people seriously not only in regard to the extent of the increase but also as to the Government’s attitude towards the racing clubs. The Minister said: “It will not be surprising to many racing people to know that strong effortfl were made to induce the Government to take from them the fractions in connection with the operation of the totalisator. The suggestion was not approved by Cabinet, ami the clubs will retain the fractions, which constitute a fairly substantial total during a season. What they mean to the clubs may bo seen from the following figures: For the year 1928-29 the fractions paid to clubs were —Racing clubs, £25,636; trotting clubs, £9818; total, £35,454. For tho year 1929-30, £25,574 has been paid to racing clubs and £11,208 to trotting clubs, the total being £36,782. The figures for the prese- 1 year have not been finalised, and the complete figures will show a slight increase on this total. “Not only has the Government maintained the racing clubs’ proportion of the totalisator tax, but it has not interfered wRh the rebate of up to £250 per annum towards course improvements, which is such a help to struggling clubs.”