THE CASE FOR RACING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 279, 25 November 1931, Page 5

THE CASE FOR RACING

APPEALS TO CANDIDATES ACTIVITIES DEPRECATED PRESIDENT OF CONFERENCE [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, Nov. 24. In an interview to-day the President of the New Zealand Racing Conference, Mr. O. S. Watkins, made the following statement “It has been the custom at past elections for racing organisations (other than the Conference itself), in common with bodies controlling other activities, to place their respective cases before candidates and, where possible, to obtain from them promises, which, to their own embarrassment and the annoyance (to use a mild term) of those to whom the promises were given, wore not always kept. During the past, twelve months it has been many times my duty, as President, of the Racing Conference, to place before the Government not only very plain statements of the really desperate plight of racing clubs but also practical suggestions for relief to which, in my considered opinion, effect could have been given but. which the Government could not see its way to grant. At the same time the increase in the amount of the refund of the totalisator duty provided

for in the last Finance Act is in itself a recognition (for which we arc really grateful) of the principle that clubs are entitled to help. I in self realise to the full the financial difficulties with which the present Government is being faced to-day, and the fact that day to day changes arc creating fresh causes of concern for whatever Government may . bo returned at the general election. Important as is racing, not only to the Conference, clubs and the thousands whoso living is derived from it, but also to tho Government which draws from it half a million pounds in annual revenue, it is only one of many activities of national life that is fighting for bare existence. In my opinion it is important that attention to the general issue of tho country’s welfare as a whole should not at this particular election be distracted by any side issues, however important, and I most sincerely appeal to all racing organisations connected with the New Zealand Racing Conference to refrain from making our claims a matter of public questioning of any candidate of any party. I strongly feel that tho cause of racing in this present crisis will best be served by making qur representations after the elections to the Government, and to then members of Parliament, instead of to candidates for election. Nothing can be done to help racing or any other acti ity until the now Parliament, meets, and our case will be best considered by men with the knowledge that is gained and with the sense of responsibility that is imposed by membership of the Legislature. Such an attitude on our part will, I am convinced, pave the way for that calm consideration of our claims on their merits from which wo have nothing to fear, but which in the past has been so often prevented by prejudices aroused through public controversy in the heated atmosphere of tho election arena.”