NEW GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL FOR TAXATION OF RACING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19154, 21 August 1930, Page 12

NEW GOVERNMENT PROPOSAL FOR TAXATION OF RACING

Telegraphing Bets To Course Urged As Revenue Producer.

The racing taxation proposals of the Government were under discussion at the anual meeting of the Takapuna Jockey Club this week. Mr C. E. Major said that he thought the members were under a great obligation to the president (the Hon E. W Alison) for the survey he had given of the position. Unless something was done it was quite evident to those who took the pains to think a little that racing was going to be taxed out of existence. He felt very strongly on the matter, and he Thought that there was something actually dishonest in. selecting racing as the victim for this burdensome taxation. Even to the unthinking multitude it would soon become plain that when 3s 4d was taken from every pound invested, that pound would go in taxation long before eight races were run, and that they were paying too much. He thought that the best way to get increased revenue from taxing racing was to amend the Gaming Act so as to allow money to be telegraphed to ermrses. It would divert a large sum from the bookmakers, and would swell the Post Office returns. He had hoped the Sports Protection League would have convened a meeting to deal with this subject, but the league had lost &s two active heads when Sir George Clifford and Sir Charles Skerrett died. This taxation on racing was more serious than the bulk of the people realised. Mr R. T. Michaels thought that the best way to raise more revenue from racing was to legalise the telegraphing of money to racecourses. The present method of taxation was not going to

give the Government extra money from the totalisator, and this was proved at the Grand National meeting last ■ week, when there was a large drop in the totalisator returns. Instead of increased revenue, the Government would get a decrease. He thought the Government was ill advised to take this step. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, August 20 Referring to the increased totalisator tax to be levied b> r the Government, Mr J. Rowe (president of the Auckland Trotting Club), in his addiess to members at the annual meeting this afternoon, said he did not intend to make a hue and cry against it. The Auckland Trotting Club had always been ready to bear its burden for the benefit of every case where necessary, and more particularly when it was for the country’s need. “I certainly think,” said Mr Rowe, “that the Government have not done their share in the matter. Had the Government assisted the passage of the Gaming Bill through Parliament the clubs would have been in a position today to meet the increased tax. However, if they are now sincere in the matter they will assist the Prime Minister, who has promised his support to the Bill for its uninterrupted passage through the House, thereby making it legal tq telegraph money to the course and publish dividends, and at the same time see that the betting through illicit channels is stopped. If this is done, I am sure the increase in the totalisator returns will produce more than the extra tax.”