N.Z. ANNUAL RACING CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1578, 22 July 1920, Page 16

N.Z. ANNUAL RACING CONFERENCE.

REVIEW OF PAST SEASON’S . OPERATIONS. PRESIDENT’S REPORT. The annual conference of delegates from the various racing clubs throughout New Zealand was held in Wellington on Thursday last, when representatives were present from all parts of the Dominion to discuss matters having for their object the control and betterment of the sport for the coming season. The president (Sir George Clifford, Bart.), presented the following report for the 1919-20 season: — “Before turning our attention to the problems which lie in front of us, we may, in all sympathy with their relations, deplore the absence of Mr. M. Hannan, in whom we have lost an able representative of Westland, and of Mr. J. Colvin, whose kindliness was such that he may truly be said never to have made an enemy. In dealing with appeals since our last meeting we are indebted for their services to Messrs. W. E. Bidwill, E. A. Campbell, Geo. Hunter, M.P., C. P. Skerrett, K.C., and. O. S. Watkins. It may be well to recall that since the institution of the appellate tribunal the fairness of its judgment has been unquestioned, while its speedy and permanent settlement of difference has been of material advantage to the welfare of the turf. “The reaction from war strain has given an impetus to all healty outdoor sports, in which racing has fully participated, the past year having been in every way a record one. Increased attendances on our racecourses, additional turnover in the totalisator, and fields of sometimes inconvenient dimensions, are clear evidence of the growth of public interest. As any institution thus suddenly expands new problems arise, and some modifications of previous arrangements and regulations are needed. It is our part to watch this progress of our sport, and to endeavour, under altering conditions, to so guide it as to ensure for it the fullest obtainable

measure of popular confidence. Absence of any serious criticism of the past administration of this Conference, and the nature of its representative constitution, sufficiently guarantee our impartiality in the execution of the duties entrusted to us. ASSOCIATION OF JOCKEYS ORGANISED. “In the course of the past season, without preliminary application to the Conference, an association of jockeys was organised, chiefly by persons unconnected with the profession, with the nominal object of securing some 32 points, which were detailed by its leaders. If these propositions had come from licensed jockeys in the spirit which assuredly animates the great majority of them, such as were reasonable would have been accorded by us every due consideration. As president of this Conference, I refused to recognise them as presented by the association, partly because it was clear that its members had joined it under a complete misapprehension of its nature, and partly on account of the dictatorial attitude it at once assumed. The first reason was confirmed by the speedy and voluntary resignation of most of the more prominent members. As to the other, the virtual control of the details of racing could not be allowed to fall into the hands of its irresponsible promoters. The choice lay between this Conference with its carefully devised system for securing justice to all, and the executive of the Jockeys’ Association claiming and striving to exercise a right to veto decisions of the racing tribunals by the summary method of calling a strike. The existence of racing as a popular institution was at stake, and I did not hesitate to ignore an association whose pretensions were so antagonistic to all the traditions of racing in every part of the Empire. If owners, trainers or jockeys choose to form associations among themselves, and respectively present suggestions to this Conference, no objection can be offered, but for any one of these sections to ally itself with outsiders and attempt to tyrannise over the rest would destroy the mutual good feeling essential to the

due government of the turf, and would drive many of our best supporters to other pursuits. “We may trust that the action of the Transport Workers’ Advisory Board, in its interference with the shipment of horses and the passages of jockeys and racing officials, was based on a misunderstanding of the position. The prohibition is petty in itself, of questionable legality, and in its effect hurts the whole community far more than the racing clubs, at whom it appears to be aimed. GRATIFYING RESULTS OF ACCIDENT FUND. “The accident fund constitutes a department of itself, and we may pride ourselves on a result which, for administrative economy, can challenge all possible comparison. Its allowances are far in excess of the statutory provisions of the Workers’ Compensation Act, and criticisms to to the opposite effect are indeed wide of the mark. The general trustees are now asking for rattier wider powers in order to remove any possible doubt of the legality of somewhat generous views hitherto taken by them of the scope of the fund. Hardships may result from negligence in payment by owners of the qualifying fee, carelessness which may cause loss alike to owner and employee. To place himself in absolute security every owner should pay one fee for the ensuing season prior to August 1, or as soon as he puts a horse into training. Secretaries of clubs should ascertain that fees have been paid on every starter, as no horse with unpaid accident fee is eligible to compete, and laxity in this detail may lead to serious complications in regard to stakes and totalisator dividends, for which clubs might find themselves doubly liable. “There is no excuse for non-pro-vision of ambulance and medical facilities upon racecourses. Clubs can combine at moderate cost for supplying the requisite equipment, and Rule 15 of Part XXXV. of the Rules of Racing imposes upon district committees certain obligations to this end. THE ELECTRIC TOTALISATOR. “The electric totalisator, when established on the principal race-

courses, will assure adherence to the advertised starting times under all but very exceptional circumstances. Even with the older machine clubs would be well advised to allow no consideration of increased investments to delay the start of races. UNDUE RESTRICTIONS UPON RACING CLUBS. “We may turn to the Legislature with some hope that certain restrictions unduly pressing upon racing clubs may be removed. Foremost among these is the levying of income tax upon clubs. This, however strictly legal, is morally unjust, inasmuch as special taxes of an onerous nature were, by agreement, imposed upon clubs and horseowners in lieu of other imposes less easy to assess. At the time of this settlement income tax was not regarded as payable by them, and, therefore, s'hould not now be exacted. The prohibition to publish totalisator dividends is a petty annoyance, playing into the hands of the illegal betting agents, as does the refusal of permission to secretaries of clubs to receive money for investment. Provision should also be made for issue of additional totalisator licenses for growing districts when recommended by this Conference, and approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs. A general redistribution of permits, as sometimes suggested, would lead to confusion and widespread dissatisfaction, and is scarcely practicable. IMPROVEMENT EFFECTED IN SPORT OF RACING. “It cannot be questioned that the sport of racing has been very greatly and steadily improved since the institution and under the administration of the Conference. What evils remain may largely be traced to the influence of unscrupulous bookmakers, and we may congratulate the authorities on taking more stringent measures to protect the public from the retailers of unfair odds. We ask that larger powers be entrusted to the Police and Telegraphic Departments for enforcement of the law, and that such powers be not permitted to lie dormant. Whatever may be said to the contrary, this Dominion has gone further than any other part of the British Empire in its effort to

cleanse the turf from abuses, and our supporters have no cause to fear that this Conference will cease to be the pioneer in such reforms as may still further attract our best citizens to the enjoyment of a clean and wholesome sport.”