RACING TAXATION

Taranaki Daily News, 10 March 1932, Page 4

RACING TAXATION

PROMINENT BREEDER’S VIEWS. 1 THE LURE OF AUSTRALIA. The Flaxmere studmaster, Mr. W. G. Stead, writes as follows to the Dominion: “During the recent political elections the president of the New Zealand Racing Conference publicly asked those interested in racing to refrain from putting questions to candidates connected with racing taxation. Exactly why this action \yas taken 1 do not know. However, I do not think any candidate was questioned during the elections. I now ask what action the president is taking to help those whose living depends on the game? No doubt from his point of view racing is a hobby, but there are several thousands who are seriously feeling the pinch, and are entitled to ask what is being done to help them. “The deduction of 16 to 17 per cent, off totalisator investments is crippling. No business on ■ earth can stand such a tax off the gross turnover. In consequence no one bets professionally now, as there is no chance of winning. Whereas if the deduction were reduced to a reasonable figure, say, 12 per cent., owners and trainers would operate again because the stakes are getting so small. “Why have the following very prominent New Zealand racing owners and trainers left here recently for Australia?:

A. D. Webster 8 horses H. J. Palmer 1 horse J. T. Jamieson 5 horses W. R. Kemball ......... o horses W. D. Moroney 3 horses

“And I understand A. McAulay, J. M. Sampson, P. F. Campbell, J. M. Cameron and G. P. Payne have left this country. These owners and trainers have either taken or are going to take, the best horses out of the country. This lessens the interest in racing considerably. Furthermore, the railways and telegraph business will be affected. I really think the conference is entitled to a definite statement from Cabinet, as a continuance of the existing taxation means owners either must leave the country or race at a very heavy loss, which few can afford these times.

“May I suggest that fresh life can be put into the business if bookmakers were licensed together with the totalisator. Every other country in the world, as far as I. know, has bookmakers, so why should New Zealand, try reforms that have not '-been found necessary elsewhere ?

“There is also the increased number of one-dividend laces, while in Australia there are more division races than ever, thus proving still further the inducement for horse owners to go to Australia.”