SPORT OF RACING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 191, 15 August 1940, Page 9

SPORT OF RACING

POLICY OF CONTINUANCE “MATTER FOR GOVERNMENT” “I do not intend to express any reasons which may suggest themselves as grounds for the continuance of racing in the Dominion during the war,” stated Mr. O. Nicholson, in his presidential address at the annual meeting of members of the Auckland Racing Club on Monday afternoon. Mr. Nicholson said that any question as to the advisability of the curtailment or suspension of racing during this period must be decided by the Government, and should be left to its untrammelled decision. The Government was fully apprised of all circumstances connected with the sport of racing in the Dominion, and if, after mature consideration, it thought that the exigencies connected with the Dominion’s war efforts required or demanded that there should be a curtailment or suspension of racing in the Dominion during the period of war, then this club would uncomplainingly accept the position and loyally support it in whatever was desired in this direction. So long as racing was permitted the club would endeavour to carry on the sport with the same liberality as had been shown in the past years, and the committee fervently hoped that the public patronage of the club’s future meetings would be such as to provide a substantial annual prolit to the Government’s war expenses account.

No major works in connection with the club’s property will be undertaken during the war, he added, but every effort would be made by the committee to conserve the present strong financial position of the club so that when peace w*as declared these works might be vigorously proceeded with. The club faced the future with every confidence as it was able to meet out of its resources any contingencies which might arise.