THE TOTALISATOR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1519, 29 March 1887, Page 3

THE TOTALISATOR.

Whether it be to the public advantage or disadvantage, the fact remains that horse-racing is a thoroughly established British institution, and wherever Englishmen go they take with them the passion for this description of sport. Change their skies as they may, their manners and customs go with them, and the younger Britains which have sprung up m all fhe ends of. the earth altogether outpace the Old Country m the eagerness wiih which they follow up the national sport. And of all the colonies those of Australasia are most devoted to it, Victoria, New South Wales, and New Zealand vicing with one another lor the honors of the turf. Cup day m Melbourne is to thousands the great event of the year, and nowhere m the world m proportion to population is there so an assemblage as gathers together on that occasion at Flemington. New Zealand having no one great centre par excellence, affords no such striking spectacle, but if the number of race meetings be taken into account, and the attendances at all these added together, the results are something very surprising. Indeed, we question whether m any country under the sun there is so much racing, so many race meetings, compared to the number of the population, as m New Zealand. Every city, every town, nay, every township of any size, has its convincing ground, and its one, two, or three race meetings a year, and it is certain that so long as the people continue so fond of this species of sport, racing will continue to be carried on. The time may come when fashions will change and horse-racing fall into disuetude, but if so there is no indication of its approach as yet, and it is obvious therefore that existing facts must be accepted and every effort made to free the racecourse and racing, as far as may be possible, of all objectionable surroundings. With a view to this the Legislature has passed a stringent law (the Gaming and Lotteries Act) aimed at the putting down of betting, and under that Act has made provision for the licensing of the totalisator as a means of indulging to some extent the speculative tendency of the sporting instinct, while at the same time securing that a part of the proceeds of each investment shall go towards the prizes given to be run for. Whether or not the- introduction of this machine has, or has not reduced racecourse gambling, is a moot point, but there is at least no doubt that it has developed an abuse of its own, viz., the getting up of a number of miserable little race meetings for the sake of the totalisator percentage, meetings which m no way or shape can be held to encourage the breeding of race horses, as v the stakes given are such as can only attract the veriest weeds, and are m point of fact run for by wretched brokendown cattle that would hardly be fit to run m a coslermonger's cart. Many people would m view of these facts gladly see the totalisator done away with altogether, but though there be many who hold that view, we fancy there are more who would retain the machine, but take steps to prevent its abuse. This view of the case is that taken by the Metropolitan Racing Clubs, who have recently, by their delegates m conclave assembled, arrived at a series of recommendations which they have forwarded to the Hon the Colonial Secretary. These are as follows : — "That no license for the use of the totalisator should be granted to any racing club unless the programme of the race meeting be first approved by the Metropolitan Club m whose district the races are to take place ; and the following rules were framed by which the Metropolitan Clubs should be guided m giving their assent to the programmes submitted to them. That m submitting programmes for the approval of the Metropolitan Club, each club shall forward its programme for the ensuing year, and shall furnish, if required, a properly audited balace-sheet,. showing its receipts and expenditure for the past year. And that m no case shall a programme be passed unless it clearly appears from the balance-sheet that all moneys received by the club have been expanded m stakes, making improvements m the course and-stands, or payment of interest and sinking fund, or purchase money, or generally m the interest of racing. That no programme of any club shall be passed, the members of which divide any portion of the profits. Thar, with a view to limiting the undue use of the totalisator, no club shall be allowed to hold more than four meetings m the year. That any club holding more than three meetings m the year must give an average of at least £600 per diem m stakes. That any club holding three meetings m the year must give an average of at least per diem m stakes. That any club holding two meetings m the year must give an average of at least per diem m stakes. That any club holding only one meeting m the year must give an average of at least ;£ioo per diem m stakes. That licenses for the use of the totalisator should be issued annually, and should be terminable or revoked on the 31st July m each year." The foregoing suggestions, which have been submitted to the Government, on behalf of the Conference, by the Hon. G. McLean, appear on the whole fairly well calculated to meet the evils which have undoubtedly been developed by the unrestricted issue of totalisator licenses, but m order to their acceptance by Racing Clubs generally, there will, we fancy, be need to define more precisely what is meant by a " metropolitan club;" such clubs as those of Oamaru, Timaru, Ashburton, etc, being, we should say, very unlikely to accept willingly a total dependence upon the fiat of the clubs at Dunedin and Christchurch, or other metropolitan city. This difficulty might be got over by doing away vmh the word mettO' politan, and classifying the clubs as ■ first, second, and third class, according ! to the amount of the stakes given to be run for. Presuming that this initial stumbling-block (for it will prove oney be removed, then the suggestions above referred to, or something very like them, could be given effect to, and with great advantage. But we shall not be surprised if the raising of the question lend to a result entirely unexpected by those who are moving m the matter, viz., the repeal by Parliament of the totalisator clause, and the consequent disappearance of the " machine" from the racecourse,