VISITORS' VIEWS ON N.Z. RACING

Chronicle (Levin), 11 April 1946, Page 6

VISITORS' VIEWS ON N.Z. RACING

.. With(years of racing experience in different parts of the world, Mr. Ron Miller, journalist, is visiting Wellington- to give evidenee at the Royal Commission that is expected to meet at an early date to consider matters pertaining to the gaming laws of this country.' In an interview, Mr. Miller said he was confident tliat bettings shops in the Dominion would meet witli far moie success than in Australia. He explained the system as operated in Australia. Immediately the aceeptances were published they were displayed on a board with the pre-post quotations alongside each liorse, and throughout the week the bets laid were entered on a sheet, with figures indicating the amount of -money held and the amount eaeli horse was taking out. As a result, the bookmalter knew exaetly how he stood, and likewise the punter. A system of taxation operated, and if a similar scale was introduced here it would be an enormous asset to New Zealand without affeeting tlie racing eiubs. Racing Control. Mr. Miller went on to say that racing control could be vastly improved in the Dominion if strict administration were biought into force. Quoting two cxamples, he said the contiiuied reversals oi form and the allowing of an appeal on the judicial committee's findiug were the subject of considerable comment and dissatisfaetion. Furtlier, racing, as an industrv, should maintain . principles that are uplield iu other spheres of life. Asked his opinion of the riding capa--bilities of New Zealand jockeys, Mr Millar said that with correct coaehing by experienced horsemen there was 110 rc-ason whv the vounger boys should not hold their own with such renowned ' ' hoops ' ' as W. J. Brougliton, L. J. Ellis, H. N. Wiggins, etc. In N.S.W. four of Australia 's greatest riders, E. Bartle,. D. Munro, M. McCarten, and E. McMenamin, quite often got the vounger jockeys together and gave them tlieoretical and practical instruction. In concluding, Mr. Miller said that if sufficicnt evidenee were produced bet'ore tlie Royal Commission on belialf of tlie adoption of betting shops, he had one plan alone that would make a return of approximatcly £1,500,000 yearly to tlie Taxation Departmcnt.-