HORSE RACING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 15 November 1924, Page 5

HORSE RACING.

COMMITTEE OF INQUIRY. TO MEET EARLY NEXT YEAR. By Telegraph—Press .Association. WELLINGTON, Nov. U. ]t is the intention of the Government soon to set up a committee to inquire into various aspects or the •sport of ho"se racing. The committee will consist solely of members of Parliament. Jt will sit in Wellington. No doubt there will be a demand that the committee should travel through the country and take evidence from witsieses at ad the places visited, but this is not the intention, and it is unlikely that the demand will bo acceded to. The scope of the committee for the purpose of its investigation, it .s understood, will be wide, and will cover almost everything within reason thought worthy of investigation. Several phases of tho inquiry will immediately concern the New Zealand Racing Conference, the governing bodv of tho sport in the Dominion. It is contended by some that the Conferenci at present lias too much power, and .this is an allegation which the committee is likely to be required to sift. It lias been said in tiic House ol Representatives that a certain section of the House is dominated in racing matters bv the Conference, and it is •quite unlikely that such »u allegation as that will he allowed to stand without being thorongblv investigated.

Tho conditions binding .apprentices to the trainers who are their masters is another matter which may find its way on to the order of reference. Other likolv subjects are taxation , permits, betting, and suitability, and safety of courses. A decision has not been readied yet as to tho personnel of ihe committee, hut it m.? k v be taken that it will he j representative of every section of tho House. It is unlikely that the committee will he a large one; it will probably consist of seven members, who wiii meet oavlv in tho New Year.