A TOTALISATOR ADVOCATE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 956, 2 July 1908, Page 8

A TOTALISATOR ADVOCATE.

Sir Walter Gilbey is in all respects an admirable example of what used to be called a “Merchant (Prince.” By his unflagging devotion to work and shrewd business capacity he has earned wealth and a baronetcy; indeed, he is a model to be pointed out to industrious youth as one whom they could not do better than sedulously imitate. I suppose (says an English writer) there is no Sunday school teacher, however strict his principles may theoretically be, who would not agree with this estimate of Sir Walter’s character —and he thinks it a matter for much regret that the pari mutjuel is not introduced into this country, and drawn upon to supply funds for the development of the horse-breeding industry. In 1907 the sum of £12,280,000 . passed through the pari mutuel in France. Eight per cent, was deducted by the Government, with the result that, half having been allocated for working expenses, £245,600 went to various charities and hospitals, £122,800 to prizes for the breeders of winners,, and a similar amount was at the disposal of the Minister of Agriculture. Sir Walter is of opinion that if the pari mutuel were legalised in this country, “the percentage would certainly be not less than it is in France, and probably a very great deal more.” That means that something like £300,000 would be provided for chari -ties, hospitals, etc., and the same amount for the encouragement of horse-breeding. This is the rooted conviction of our model Merchant Prince, who declares that “it would be impossible to suggest a method of raising revenue in favour of which there is so much and against which there is so little to be said.”

What is there to be aid against it. The parrot cry that it would be “the legal recognition of gambling” is the only obstacle. We will not stop to argue over terms, as to whether backing a horse is “gambling.” Many people do not so regard it; but what solid and tenable objection is there to the familiar suggestion which Sir Walter Gilbey once more puts forward?

I was discussing the subject a few days ago with one of our (possibly) heaven-directed rulers, a distinguished Radical. He shook his head when I talked to him about Sir Walter’s letter, and declared that “it would never do!” “Putting politics aside,” I inquired, “don’t you think it would be an excellent thing?” “Of course I do!” he answered. “But you’d vote against it, I suppose, if it were brought forward?” I continued, and he replied that “Of course he should.” “Perhaps you would speak against it, too?” I went on, and he said that he might very possibly do that. “But don’t you think that even some of your straight-laced constituents would have the sense to see that the country is sacrificing a handsome revenue, which would be supplied willingly by people who could afford and would gladly furnish it for charities and other most desirable objects? ” I proceeded to ask, and he entirely agreed. “It isn’t what I think, my dear fellow,” was his somewhat abstruse explanation of his attitude; “it’s what other people think that they ought to think.”

THE AMATEUR RIDER.

In a recent article on this subject the “Melbourne S. and D. News” says: Complaint is often heard about the scarcity of capable amateur riders, and yet is it any wonder that there are so few horsemen of this class worthy the name. As we have repeatedly pointed out, the amateur does not get nearly the number of opportunities to figure in the saddle that he is entitled to. It is true that during the winter months chances are held out to him, especially if he is “useful” at the crosscountry game, but with the season over, he is rarely wanted again to figure in his own company until the winter comes round again. Under these circumstances, it is not surprising that young fellows with a taste for the saddle soon find their enthusiasm on the wane. To be left comparatively idle for three parts of the year is scarcely the sort of thing to encourage and develop amateur talent. If we want to bring out the material that must in a country like this always be ready for the "making,” it will be necessary to promote races all

the year round for the! purpose. It is not difficult to see that there would soon be no dearth of amateur riders of the first rank if the young men of the day with a liking for the business were given a little assistance by the different race clubs. Or, better still, the amateurs themselves might band together and form a strong club, and thus make their own opportunities, instead of depending on others to do it for them- It is scarcely likely that the Government,in the matter of licensing, would throw any opposition in the way of such an organisation. Let the amateurs race on the “picnic” principle, which has been found to answer so well all over New South Wales, and, properly conducted, this class of sport would be bound to flourish on this side quite as well as over the Murray. Here is a way out of the present difficulty for the amateurs, and they should take it, for, as they have learned from experience, it is useless to expect much from the regular clubs. We should say that if a good, strong, genuine, amateur club were formed in Melbourne, it would not take long to unearth a fair number of “gentlemen riders” capable of taking care of themselves in the field, either on the flat or over jumps. Something of the sort might not be a bad thing over on this side, where barring a few races by the A.R.C., the amateur gets no encouragement.