RACING ENQUIRY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18230, 14 November 1924, Page 12

RACING ENQUIRY.

COMMITTEE TO BE SET UP.

TO SIT IN WELLINGTON.

(ereciAL TO "THJ rwres.")

WELLINGTON, November 13

It ia the' intention, of the Government soon to set up a committee to enquiro into various aspects of the sport of horso racing. *

The committee will consist solely of members of Parliament. It will sit in Wellington. No doubt there will be a demand that tho committee should travel through the country and take evidence from witnesses at all the places visited, but this is not the intention, and it is unlikely that the demand will be acceded to.

The scope of the committee for the purpose of its investigation, it is understood, will be wide, and will, cover almost everything within reason thought worthy of investigation. Several phases of the enquiry will immediately concern the New Zealand Racing Conference, the governing body of the sport in the Dominion. It is contended by some that the Conference at present has too much power, and this is an allegation which the committeo is likely to bo required to sift.

It has been said in the House of Representatives that a certain section of the House is dominated in racing matters by the Conference, and it is quite unlikely that such an allegation as that will be allowed to stand without being thoroughly investigated. The conditions binding apprentices to the trainers who are their masters is another matter which may find its way on to the order of reference. _ Other likely subjects are taxation, permits, betting, and suitability and safety of courses. A decision has not been reached yet as to the personnel of the committeo, but it may be taken that it will be representative of every section,, of the House. It is unlikely that the committeo' will be a largo one; it will probably consist of seven members, who will meet early in the New Year.