RACING CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144147, 17 July 1913, Page 7

RACING CONFERENCE.

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. PEB PBEBB ASSOCIATION. WELLINGTON, July 17. The President of the Racing Conference (Sir George Clifford)), in his address to-day, stated that during the pagt season the sport of racing had shown a vitality and grip of tho people unimpaired by tho prejudiced ami illinformed legislation which had curtailed its scope and hampered its management. In spite of these fetters, the public had shown its appreciation of the improved programmes and added safeguards which had rendered tho year noteworthy ill turf annals. The institution of tho stipendiary committee of the conference had realised tho anticipations of its advocates by checking any tendency to malpractice. Reference was made to faulty jumping, which had conspicuously marred recent steeplechases. This could not bo attributed to tho difficulty of the fences. Its explanation must rather be sought in tho insufficiency of schooling given to their charges by the trainers, or to the desire of riders to apply the short stirrup seat to a task for which it was obviously not suited. If common-senso did not provide tho remedy, the conference should take steps in that direction. “Tho deliberations of this conference,” added the president, “have ever been directed with disinterestedness and singleness of purpose to the improvement of the sport of racing and to the establishment of tho well-founded belief among all right-minded citizens that it is a recreation which can be blamelessly pursued by all classes as a health-giving open-air pastime. I regret the survival of tho conventional prejudice which restrains many ministers of religion from countenancing by their presence a sport so devoid in this country of obnoxious features, and so well-fitted to supply the harmless relaxation so urgently needed by every section of the community in these days of stress and hustle.” Sir George mentioned that it was seventeen years since he was elected president, and he felt that other hands should take a turn at-the helm.