RACING IN NEW ZEALAND

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 163, 13 July 1933, Page 7

RACING IN NEW ZEALAND

CONFERENCE PRESIDENT REVIEW OF YEAR’S WORK At tho annual meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Racing Confcicnce yesterday at Wellington the following report was presented by the president, Mr. O. S. Watkins:— President’s Report In presenting this my last annual report as president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, I do so under a disadvantage, inasmuch that during recent months my health has been such that I have had to bow to medical advice and curtail my activities. The racing year now drawing to a. close has been full of interest to all concerned in tho welfare of the turf in this country. Our thanks arc due to Parliament for not passing the Gaming Amendment Bill, which sought to license bookmakers and betting

shops ia this country. The Racing Conference has for many years endeavoured tu convince Parliament that, in order to stabilise the revenue the State derives from racing, and at the same time afford clubs the additional revenue they so much require to operate effectively, the statutory provisions which prevent: (a) The telegraphing of remitting of investments on the totalisutor through the Post Office and (b) the operation of the double totalisutor; should be repealed. The enactment of such desirable legislation would also be a body-blow to tn. illegal bookmaker. Naturally the Gov eminent, as well as the conference and clubs, is vitally interested in the wellbeing of racing and has been embarrassed by the decline in racing rev enuo which means so much tu the ■State. It has been my duty during the past us well us in previous depression years, to approach the Government fur some easing of the burden of taxation. I desire to state with emphasis that the Government generally, Ministers of the Crown, as well as heads and other responsible officers of Government departments affected have at all times given me every opportunity of staling our case, and very sympathetic consideration. We must realise the difficulty in which the Government is placed in times like these in agreeing to any remission in rates of taxation unless it can be shown beyond doubt, cither that a decreased rate will m fact produce more revenue, or that the continuance of the high rate will imperil tho existence of the source of revenue. In making racing clubs the concession of a refund of uno percent, on the totalisutor duty, the Government has undoubtedly done something of material help for us, for which tho thanks of the conference and clubs are duo to it. 1 trust that the period uf this concession will be extended. H seems to me that unless there is a further serious decline in the revenue of clubs from the totalisutor, indicating that the public can no longer bear the present rates of taxation, it will be hopeless to expect the Government to reduce those rates, unless it seizes the opportunity, to which 1 have referred above, of exploiting other means of raising substantial additional racing revenue without taxation. During the early part of the year tho Executive Committee, acting in pursuance of the powers bestowed upon it at our last annual meeting, made regulations which permitted clubs to compute dividends on tho win and place system of betting. I am happy to say the adoption of this system of wagering has been an unqualified success. With the short time at their disposal to make provision for the changed system, clubs have endeavoured to meet the requirements of their patrons, and I desire to convey to the rOjce-going public of this country our appreciation of the splendid sporting spirit shown by them 111 putting up with some inconvenience when making their wagers under the new system. No doubt each club will use its best endeavour to provide the necessary facilities to meet the convenience of its patrons who desire to use the win and place system. Jt is pleasing to record the success of New Zealand-bred horses in other parts of the world. Once again 1 wish to appeal to the breeders and the owners of thoroughbred mures in this Dominion to notiiy the keeper of the Stud Book of the coverings and foulings of their brood mares. Regulations have been made which require this information to be furnished nut later than February 28 in each year and the penalties for failure are that the unregistered foal will not appear in the Stud Book and registration for racing purposes may be refused. These penalties should not bo overlooked by breedcis. The Executive Committee last year decided to postpone for one year the publication of Vol. NIL of the New Zealand Stud Book solely on account of' tho expense. I trust this conference will very carefully consider the wisdom of any further postponement of a publication of such groat value to all concerned in tho industry of horse breeding, which is an industry of national import. By the deaths of our vice-president, Air. 11. U. Nolan, and Messrs. W. E. Lidwell, U. E. Vallunce and U. A. brown, wo have lost staunch friends who were inspired with the highest ideals both on and off the turf. Tnese gentlemen wore all at various Limes icprcsentatives ou the conference ami gave much of their valuable tune to the welfare of racing. 1 have also to record the deaths 01 Messrs. G. D. Greenwood and W. G. Stead, who were two very prominent supporters of racing and breeding in this country. Mr. Oliver Nicholson was appointed vicepresident by the Executive Committee to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. 11. O. Nolan. We have to thank Sir Chas. Clifford, Bart., Sir Walter (Stringer, K.C.M.G., Messrs. A. T. D*oniieliy, Goo. Gould, 11. I’. Johnston, K.C., 11. F. U l.eary, Eric L. Riddiford, W. C. S. inuiuas, W. Tringham and D. E. Wanklyn for consenting tu act as judges on appeals lodged with the conleicnce. In oeing able to secure the voluntary services of men held in such high esteem to act as judges under our rules we arc indeed fortunate. 1 strongly recommend the conference nut to interfere with the present system of appointing appeal judges when such capuulu men are willing to give their time and ser vices in tne interests uf racing. The Executive Committee has submitted lor your approval a motion to transfer the powers, duties and functions of the Dates and Licensing Committees to th Executive Committee. This proposal has my hearty suppoit. Lam satisfied that the burden placed upon your president can be lightened very considerably if this motion is Carried. The work of the Licensing and Dates Committees in between annual meetings has been in recent years carried out by corrcsondcncc, and I suggest that the time has arrived when this unwieldy system should be altered in the manner proponed by the Executive Committee. Stipendiary Stewards Dining the year we lost the services of Mr. I’. A.. Wilson, chairman of tho stipendiary stewards, who was ap pointed to a similar position by the Queensland Turf Club. Mr. Wilson rendered valuable services to racing during his term of office with the con feience and wo were sorry to lose such an efficient officer. Mr. C. Gomer, of Victoria, was appointed by the Execu tivo Committee to till the vacancy and it. is satisfactory to report that with Messrs. B. N. San di hinds and G. E. Curry the good work of the stipendiary stewards is being nuiintainod. Unfortunately Mr. Curry has been laid aside by illness for the last three months. The racecourse inspectors 00x1-

tinuo to carry out their duties in a vory efficient and painstaking manner. They deserve tho thanks of all concerned in the welfare of racing. The reinstatement of some classic races which were dropped out of pro grammes is pleasing to record. the motion by tho Canterbury Jockey Club that a hack handicap flat race of not less distance than one mile and a-quar-tcr, shall be included in the programme of a two-day meeting held between September 1 and May 31 following inclusive, would bo a very desirable addition to our rules. We have to thank Air. J. G. Duncan, ono of the general trustees of tho General Trust Fund, for the valuable voluntary services given by him, more especially during tho last few months, when he has been called upon to attend to a mass of detail of administration. Owing to pressure of business Air. Duncan has resigned office as ono of the General Trust Fund trustees. The General Trust Fund is a most valuable fund in the interests of owners and their cm ptoyees. Tho fee of £1 now charges lor owners to qualify for the benefits of tho fund is, 1 consider, the minimum fee which can safely bo fixed. 1 cannot conclude without thanking representatives to the conference, the members of tho various conference, District and Club Committees and all stipendiary and honorary officers connected with racing, Ministers of the Crown ami officers of Government de px.itmeats associated with racing, for their unfailing help and many acts of courtesy to me. My burden has been considerably lightened by tho goodwill and active help of all with whom the duties of president have brought me in touch. Among so many it would, with ono exception, be unfair to particu lariso; that ono exception is our secre tary, Mr. Sellers. Long before the Executive Committee came into being or 1 became vice-president, I knew the value of his services to racing. During my terms of office as vice-president ami president 1 have como to realise just how much racing in general and any holder of the high offices of the conference in particular, owes to Air. Sellers ability, integrity and loyalty and his enthusiasm for his work. No trouble is too much for him, no task too heavy. ' I am personally deeply indebted t<> him ami 1 feel that my successor’s task will be very materially lightened by Mr. Sellers’ encyclopaedic knowledge and the ne\ci-failing help of him and his staff. It is almost, needless for me to say