TOO MANY ISSUED.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17804, 31 August 1929, Page 6

TOO MANY ISSUED.

COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS. STRICT CURTAILMENT URGED. RACING CLUB’S ACTION. The too-iiheral issue of complimentary tickets by country racing clubs was condemned by the annual meeting of the Waikato Racing Club to-day. After congratulating the club on the result of the past season's operations, Mr A. E. Manning said he had no doubt that one of the real causes of the impecuniosity of several country clubs was the too liberal distribution of complimentary tickets. They were thus giving away the only revenue of much real benefit to them. All were aware, of course, that the totalisator revenue largely went to the Government. He moved: “That this club send forward a recommendation to the Auckland Provincial Country Racing Clubs’ Association, to consider the curtailment of complimentary tickets at future meetings.” The speaker added that there was little use one club taking action in this direction without the support of the other clubs. Those clubs that already had cut down the number of complimentary tickets had been assailed as mean and paltry. In seconding the motion, Mr J. 11. Elliott said it seemed to him the Waikato Racing Club would never get out of its present financial position until it did something along the lines suggested by Mr Manning. He thought the Waikato Club would do well to give a lead to other clubs in this direction, for lie felt sure they would receive much support. He added that the Auckland Racing Club stood alone at present in tills matter of curtailment, which probably was one reason for its prosperity. The speaker considered members should have some privileges above persons who were not members. This did not seem to he the case at present. He also mentioned that members who did not pay their subscriptions could still obtain privilege tickets. It generally happened, lie proceeded, in the issue of complimentary tickets, that the people who could best afford lo pay received them and those who could least afford did not get them.

Question of Reducing Charges,

The speaker thought it might be wise to make a hard and fast rule that no complimentary tickets lie issued, and that the question of reducing the admission charges, say, to 7s Gd or ss, he considered. Mr G. J. Peacli suggested that the subscription be raised to £3 3s, and that each member he entitled to* one complimentary ticket, members of the executive committee each to get three tickets. Outside these he thought none at all should be issued. There was no doubt many tickets were given away that should not be. Mr G. W. Vercoe (president) asked if the Waikato Club should not set a lead.

Mr Manning thought it would be rather difficult to act alone in the matter. He pointed to the fact that some clubs distributed between 2000 and 5000 free tickets each meeting. The Waikato Club issued something like from 1500 to 2000. The whole thing had been abused, and the unfortunate phase was that the club that attempted lo curtail them was assailed as mean. Concerted action was undoubtedly needed on tile part of clubs. Officers of clubs would also be saved a good deal of time and worry if complimentary tickets were cut out. One secretary bad told him that half bis lime was taken up in answering telephone requests for complimentaries, and in arranging for their distribution. Mr Vercoe said be was calling a meeting of the Country Clubs’ Association prior to the coming races at Te Rapa, and this matter could then he brought up for discussion. lie was certain the too liberal issue of complimentary tickets was not in the interests of the clubs. Mr H. D. Hooker observed that complimentaries were discontinued in Taranaki some lime ago. Mr E. A. Cox: And the clubs have got an increased turnover. After a little further discussion, Mr Manning’s motion was unanimously carried, with the addition; “That.this meeting requests the incoming committee to curtail the free issue of privileges at its next race meeting.”