SUBMISSION TO COMMISSION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 4, 12 March 1947, Page 6

SUBMISSION TO COMMISSION

N.Z. RACING CONFERENCE INQUIRY INTO GAMING LAWS A summary of the submissions made by the New Zealand Racing Conference to the Royal Commission of Inquiry into gaming laws sitting in Wellington is as follows: (1) The present system of government and control of racing in New Zealand has been developed by- the efforts of individual men working in an honorary capacity for the love of the sport. It has proved satisfactory and there is no need for the State or any organisation different from those constituted under the Rules of Racing to assume control of racing in New Zealand in part or in whole. (2) That the Minister of Internal Affairs be authorised by Statute to issue at his discretion and on the recommendation of the conference up to a maximum of 20 additional one-day totalisator licences for racing clubs. (3) That an extension of midweek racing be authorised. ' ' ‘ (4) That no restriction be placed upon the existing law granting racing clubs the right to prohibit undesirables from attending race meetings. (5) That racing clubs be granted exemption from income and national and social security tax other than in respect of income from investments and farming operations and that the rebate on totalisator tax be increased to 5 per cent, on the first £20,000 of totalisator investments. (Clubs are at present allowed a rebate of 2a- per cent, on the first £20,000 which passes through the totalisator in any one year). (6) That the business of bookmaking on or off the course continue to be illegal. (7) That the principle of legal-

ised off-the-course betting other than through bookmakers be asserted with a recommendation that a tribunal be set up to consider the appropriate system of putting this into effect. (8) That racing clubs be permitted to operate a doubles totalisator for a maximum of twice in any racing day. (9) That the telegraphing of money order bets to the totalisator be permitted. (10) That the publication of dividends be authorised. (11) That knowledge must be established by the prosecution in any charge for sale of a ticket from the totalisator to a person under the age of 21.