TROTTING CONFERENCE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16782, 11 July 1922, Page 2

TROTTING CONFERENCE.

ANNUAL MEETING. PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. The delegates to the New Zealand Trotting Conference held their annual meeting in Wellington to-day. The president. Mr J. Rowe, delivered the following address: Twelve months ago wo were sanguine .that an increased number of totalisator permits commensurate with the prosperity and growing popularity of trotting would be recommended by the Royal Commission which had been sot up by the Government. Unfortunately, however, the Commissioners. whilst suggesting some desirable increases, also recommended the abolition of several old-established clubs. It was mainly owing to the great efforts of our representatives that a Bill providmg for a moderate increase of permits was introduced in the House of Representatives by Sir George Hunter, which finally resulted in the setting up of the Racing Commission, and I am pleased to report that, so far as I know, not one club in the Dominion endeavoured to secure a permit at the expense of existing clubs. As you arc aware,, the report of the coin, mission was thrown out. leaving existiug allocations unaltered. Now. if the support accorded to any branch of sport can be fairly regarded as the barometer of public opinion, then I can truthfully assert that our political friends will be justified in granting us this session the additional permits scheduled by your executive last, year. I feel confident that any effort made in that direction will be cordially endorsed by my fellow-delegates. -You will see that, as I stated two years ago. the non-totali-sator meetings are still carrying on. notwithstanding the heavy taxes on the sport, showing clearly the necessity for more permits. I would also point out the position of the one-dav clubs, many of which find it a case of great, hardship, and each ebould, in my opinion, receive without any undue delay another permit. In addressing you last year, I referred to the burdensome railway charges for the carriage of- horses. In response to representations from practically all the owners and trainers’ aesociat ions, and many clubs, it is probable that the promised revision of railway charges will result in a considerable reduction of existing rates. Whilst it is true that the Government is compelled to levy heavy taxation in order to liquidate the tremendous expenditure caused by the past war. I hope the time is not far distant when the strain upon ! our finances will be materially reduced. ; Obviously all must fairly and loyally help I the Government to maintain financial solidit? ; but to-day many of our clnhg with j a falling revenue find it difficult to pro- ' vide the stakes based on the previous year s net totalisator revenue, and pay the heavy taxation levied by the Crown. In this connection a serious anomaly was qfrated in the " Land and Ijicome Tax Act. line. where clubs were made liable for Ihe payment of ineome tax on revenue which was already subject to severe form:' of taxation. This aspect of the question Ims been considered with a view to legislating for the exemption of racing and trotting clubs in the provisions of the Act. The additional imposition is unjust, ana it is maintained that the excess of receipts over expenditure as far as clubs are concerned is not profit in the commercial sense, and should not be taxed. It .is detrimental to the efficient management of clubs, and retards proper provision bejng made for the convenience a-nd comfort of the public. It also discourages enterprise in the important national industry of horse-breeding. The committee v appointed by the Government to consider the taxation system of the Dominion in all its aspects, met in this city, and received and considered evidence from the interested bodies. On behalf of trotting, a statement with necessary statistics was prepared and placed before the committee.

The great advance made in trotting during the past few years speaks volumes f,or its popularity; and this progress has naturally increased the number of nominations. until some of the fields seen out are much too large. Fortunately, very few accidents have occurred at our meetings; but it is obvious that true and interesting racing cannot be anticipated when from twenty to forty horses compete in one race. Tt. is possible that in the near future it may be necessary to seriously discuss remedial measures, such as the introduction of classic or divisional racing. The former system presents no debatable difficulties, and might be given a trial in a few of our high-class events; but. under the existing gaming laws division racing would scarcely be acceptable, inasmuch as the Crown law officers have recently declared that each division contest would constitute a race.

Tt has been suggested that large fields should be reduced to a determined number by lottery: but this method of elimination, l submit, would be manifestly unfair to owners. Division racing might obviate matters, provided, of course, that, the gaming laws were amended, and 1 understand that steps are being taken in this direction.

Whilst large fields constitute a dangerous menace to safety, 1 desire to draw pointed attention to the grave danger of racing in a failing light. Several instances have been brought under my notice during the past year where it wes almost impossible to distinguish the horses competing. I consider that the last race on any programme should be set down for decision at least half an hour before sunset, and no programme should otherwise be passed. Racing in a bad light is not only dangerous to drivers and riders, but is distinctly annoying to race-goers. Officials cannot closely watch the running, whilst the unfortunate judge is not given a square deal.

“ A strpng. level-headed Opposition, fair ly criticising our administration or proposed legislation, is welcomed by the Government.” These words were uttered many .years ago by the ” Grand Old Man,” and though no su-h thing as party exists in the trotting world, free, healthy criticism of our legislation or administration is always welcomed. Neither our paid nor honorary officials profess to be infallible, but T submit that some of the criticism to which they have recently been subjected very much resembles th© report of Mark Twain's death.

Whilst it is desirable that ** the punish* nont should lit the crime,” surely the best judges of »what that punishment should bo are the stewards, who not only hear the evidence given, but observe how it is tendered, and who also have witreeaed any incident discussed by them in committee. It ha» frequently been suggested, with Home justification, that owners should not sit upon Judicial Committees, as their presence is not fair to themselves or to those coming under their judicial notice; but it is difficult, to secure the services of competent men outside the ranks of owners. T would recommend that, when possible. f his attitude be adopted by clubs, and that, granted nearly equal qualifications, owners be not appointed on Ju d iciary Com mit tees.

I am pleased to say that, the Government totalisator inspectors and The various totalisator officials have worked harmoniously together, but on two or three occasions a difference of opinion has arisen between Judicial Committees- and tab© Govetni’rpjpnt ofljioials JUilie 3618 reads:—

“ If any ticket, be purchased in respect of a. horse which, with the permission of the stewards, does not, start after weighing out, the stewards may order the amount paid on the purchase of the ticket less the usual commission, to be refunded on production and delivery of the ticket.” This rule is manifestly fair; but. whilst it gives "stewards the power to return the money whether the totalisator has closed or not, the Government, inspectors contend that in accordance with the Gaming Act. when the totalisator has closed, the. money must he distributed in dividends only Tho (laming Art is not quite specific or the point, consequently I wuld suggest, that in future, if the totalisator has closed (or figures made up), the money invested on a- horse, that has been withdrawn cannot bo refunded to investors. I notice that an amendment will come before you- to the effect that “no starter shall debay beyond the time appointed for starting the start of any race by reason of an accident, happening to any rider, driver, horse, sulky or gear.” Without discussing the effect, of this amendment, I should like to call attention to the fact that the majority of clubs state in their books that, the “race starts about 3 p.m.. others that the ” race will start approximately at 3 p.m.,” ami “ that the raoo will not start- before 3 p.m.,” and it. is rare to find one book naming the actual time. Regarding the racecourse reserves with-

tl?.e Public Reserves and Domains Act. 1908,” an amendment of th© Act wa-u passed last, sessiort, the effect of which is to enable clubs using racecourse reserves, public reserves and domains, to have full arid exclusive use and control of the Fame and thereby be in a. position to expel undesirable persons. Such places under those conditions arc now nn the same footing as private racecourses. It has been suggested to me, that, on the face of all tickets of admission, a. clause should be. printed, reserving to the club the right at any time to revoke the license thereby conferred, and on such revocation, the person admitted in pursuance of the ticket would be. deemed n trespasser, but. would be entitled to a return of the money paid by him to the c(iib for admission. The racing authorities. having sanctioned a system for the employment of a staff of racecourse inspectors, the chairman of tho Racing Conference (Sir George Clifford) invited the Trotting Conference to be associated with him in order that, united action could be taken to exclude undesirable persons of all descriptions from racecourses and trotting tracks of tho Dominion. The control <$ the inspectors is in the hands of a committee of representatives from both branches of the sport. The cost was. very carefully studied, and the method of supervision will increase very little —and in some cases it has decreased—the sum previously paid by clubs in their endeavour to eradicate tile undesirable element. From reliable sources I can confidently state that our racecourse inspectors have quite justified their appointment, carrying out their duties with tact and discretion. A number of enthusiastic Australian trotting men have paid us a visit during the past year, and it has given me great pleasure to welcome them. Our racing methods of control and up-to-date appointments have met with their approval, and they feeling by refer to the hospitality extended to them throughout the Dominion. You will not© that a rule, making more stringent regulations regarding the exportation of horses, has been rightly tabled for your consideration: and in Vibw of one or two recent disclosures I need scarcely say how necessary it is that our authorities should know the destination of any horse leaving our shores. Several complaints have been made by drivers and riders of the non-paymetit of fees wi thiii a reasonable period, and I trust owners will attend to ibis matter. Whilst It is true Yhat n number of our horses have been sold for exportation, it. is satisfactory to note that many valuable animals have recently arrived in this country, and. I understand that negotiations are in progress for the purchase of a considerable number of young horses, and brood mares. A careful perusal of the reports submitted by our Stipendiary Stewards denotes that on the whole the general conduct of licensed trainers, drivers. a.nd riders has been exceptionally good, a.nd from what T have seen myself, I must, congratulate them on their cleanliness, sobriety and good behaviour. The appointment of competent timekeepers is absolutely essential: but T regret to say that, several instances have been brought under my notice, which denotes that some clubs have not. been too careful in making their selections. As correct timing is unquestionably- one of the most important, features of the sport. T trust, that every cave will be exorcised in selecting future wa tchholders. It is absolutely neceesary that handicappers should be supplied with the correct tirneß registered by horse®: but it. is a well-known Fact that incorrect times have occasionally been published. I would suggest that each club’s attention should be, specially drawn to Rule .343 by the Stipendiary Committee and that it he a.n instruction, that a certified copy of such times should either be taken by, or supplied to, the Stipendiary Steward in attendance, who. in turn, could be officially appealed to if any dispute should arise. You will notice that an effort will bo made to seriously undermino the status of Stipendiary Stewards. T did not intend to comment at any length Upon such retrograde proposals, but feel that I am entitled to say that it is at least significant, in view of recent events, that these aroend■raents should emanate from a club which declined to recognise the Stipendiary Steward s correct definition of the rules. The stipendiary system has been in operation pince J. 916, and results were so satisfactory that the Stipendiary Committee, some little time ago. placed ou record its appreciation .of the good work don© by their officials. Complaints and differences are occasionally bound to happen, but the improvement which has taken place in the cleanliness of the running at the larger meetings, and in not only the running, but in the whole control of the smaller, meetings, is sufficient testimony to tho efficiency of our officials. and to the value of the system.

Every season a number of horses necessarily retire from active participation in our sport; but, on the other hand, it is gratifying to note, tho general excellence of our two and three-year-olds, several of whom have publicly demonstrated their ability. The quality of the younger division is especially noticeable, and is a. tribute to careful breedings. With the advent of classic races, breeder* have obviously exercised great care in ma.ting their mares, with clearly beneficial reeultp. while our. trainers are to be congratulated on • their ability and success. I J rust that breeders will continue their laudable and lucrative efforts to reproduce high-class horses. During the past season our horses were repeatedly challenged with some success by animals bred and owned in Australia. Whilst we welcome their opposition, and trust that our friends across the Tawman will continue to throw down the gauntlet. 1 hope the glove will always be lifted on behalf of worthy locally-bred horses. Tt i« now a decade ago since the rule relating to stakes for unhoppled trotting horses was first adopted. This was, no doubt, the commencement of a. good movement to saf<Nguard the pure gaited one from extinction. Hopples were prohibited in trotting races in America, many years agro, and an agitation was going on in some of the States there to have the hopples taken off the pacers: at that true we in New Zealand first legislated for races exclusively for horses of the trotting gait only. Such races have ever since been well supported by owners, and hove proved most interesting to the public. The Forbury Park T.C. has to be commended for its progressive policy, a few seasons ago, in instituting the New Zealand Trotting Stakes for three-year-old unhoppled trotters. A fe»v other clubs have sidded to their programme* races for unhoppled horses, of either gate, in excess of that required by the Rule*. I regret, however, that the movement is not progressing as rapidly as T wculd wish to see it.

In conclusion there is one other roa.tter which I t.hiDk in deserving of very serious consideration. I refer to the question of dates of meetings. As the case stands at. the present time each individual olub selects the date which it considers will best, suit local conditions without reference to how it will affect the sport. Our trotting days arc so few, and the owners interested fo many, that I think the time has arrived when !>oih the* individual clubs and the Dates Committee, will require to take the matter seriously in hand. It, i* no t possible for any owner in either Taland to compete at both. I would recommend all clubs considering dotes for next year’s fixtures to keep this in yiew and make a strenuous effort to apply for dates on the lines of my suggestion. Should they fail to do so. it, will be up to the Da tee- Committee to take action. AUSTRALIAN RACiNC. AUSTRALIAN HANDICAPS. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. M.EILBOTTRITE, July 10. In the weight* for tho Australian Huirdle Ha ndicap, Fiscom is top. 12s 71b Belt ano has been allotted 10a 71b. In the Steeplechase the top weight is Mountain God, 13st. 21b. No New ZealHnd corses are included.