CRIPPLING A BIG INDUSTRY.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 64, 17 March 1931, Page 12

CRIPPLING A BIG INDUSTRY.

Another Bombshell For Racing.

The New South Wales Premier (Mr Lang) is hard to follow in his attitude towards horse racing, writes “ Pilot.” in the Sydney “ Referee.*’ Recently he was party to legislation intended to derive greater Government revenue from it than in the past. The legislation took the form of a tax on winning bets, and it has not given the result anticipated. Before the enforcement of the tax the general depression had caused shrinkage in attendances and investments at race meetings. The tax made the position worse. It was too heavy, and the taxation of a backer’s own stake made it absolutely unfair. In consequence many of Sydney’s biggest bettors called a halt, while other placed their commissions “in town ” with bookmakers who could not be reached by the tax, and paid without deduction. Now the Premier has decided to exclude the backer’s stake from the winning bet, but he has dropped a much greater bombshell into racing than the original tax. Evidently abandoning his desire for a large revenue from racing he has decided on the abolition of all mid-week racing, and its restriction to Saturdays and holidays. Hitherto Wednesdays have been allotted the unregistered clubs in Sydney, and on some Saturdays they have overlapped the registered clubs. In future they will be forced into clashing with the registered clubs every Saturday, and it means a very severe blow to a class of racing that supplies occupation for a great number of men who are practically fitted for nothing else. A great loss to the Government in revenue from racing, as well as a serious addition to the ranks of the unem-

ployed, must result if the Premier adheres to his present intention. Even the Premier’s most enthusiastic supporters cannot commend any action of his that will add to distress in the way of unemployment. If mid-week racing is abolished it will presumably put the trotting clubs out of action, and their cmploy'ees must suffer. With Wednesdays barred the Australian Jockey Club will also have to drop a da)' at its spring and autumn meetings. The third day at those fixtures rarely gives a profit, but if dropped, would reduce stakes by seveeral thousands annually. Clash meetings on Saturdays would be against the interests of registered and unregistered clubs, and tend to lower stakes at each. So owners and trainers on each side have something very real to fight, against this time. The latest announcement will also hit breeders very hard. Few were looking forward to prices being as satisfactory as in many previous years at the coming Randwick sales, but, with the racing position so unsettled, buyers are bound to be shy. It is not definitely stated that the proposed new order of things is to apply throughout the State, or only in the metropolitan area. Probably the latter, as restriction to Saturdays and holidays would dispose of country racing. It is understood the Premier claims no particular knowledge of racing, but his actions suggest that he is strongly opposed to it. Racing is one of our big businesses, directly and indirectly giving employment to many thousands, and the State a very large revenue. Therefore it is wrong that it should be crippled in any way.