STATE CONTROL FEARED

Chronicle (Levin), 10 January 1948, Page 3

STATE CONTROL FEARED

Press AssociationJ

AUCKLAND CLUB'S VIEWS ON GAMING REPORT

(Per

AUCKLAND, Jaix. 9. A Hlateniont on the Gaming Commiseion's report was inade by the presidenl of the Auckland Kaeing 'Club, Dr. A. .McGregor Grant. The statement opposes tlie establisiiment of a Kaeing Advisory Board as reconimeuded by the Commission aml answers criticisins of the club inade in the report. "Ilaving read and considered the report of the Oommission oue must couimeiul the efforts of its menrbers and agree with many of their lindings, " said Mr. Grant. ' ' Tliey have spent a considerable amount of time and re search work on every detail connected with racing and niany of their suggestions will be most lielpful for the guidance of those controllihg racing in future. ' ' \Ye thoroughly agree with the Comniission . 's lindings on bookmakers and also agree with the suggestions for olfcourse betting wliieli we consider eonld be. .inade. qnife praefiU'ablft with , . the cooperation of the Government. f'The formation of an advisory board we do not think is necessary for it would practicaily usurp all the powers and functions of the Kaeing Conferenee and individual clubs, wliose members are enthusiastic and experieneed racing tuen better abie to control the domestie ail'airs of their own clubs. Should this board come into being oue can foresee a gradual trend toward state control of racing. "The Auckland Kaeing- Club has been singled out for drastie criticism imlicating ext'ravagance on its part. This we think is quite unfair comment on the iigures supplied by the Commission in its report. The Auckland Kaeing Club paid for the season 1945-46 in ineome tax do per cent. of the totai amount of iucome tax paid by all racing clubs in New Zealand and dd per cent. of the total amount of ineome tax paid by racing and trotting clubs in New Zealand. Our casli and investtnetils increased from £18,500 in 1937 to £218,000 in 1S)40. This amount has been built up during a time when it has been impossible to make any major improvements at Ellerslie. "We consider that the elub has managed its affairs verv Well during that period in that it has accumulated this asset simply beeauso building restrictions prevented the club embarking on its long determined desire to supply facilities on Ellerslie racecourse commf-nsurate with public requirements. Plans were drawn and some time ago submitted to the control authorities but it was not possible to obtain permission to build. We consider the increase in stakes for the la5(t Auckland Cup at the recent summer meeting proved a great success and resulted in a great contest appreciated so mueh by the public that a record amount was invested on the event. Tliere was no doubt that the result, in every respeet, fnlly justilied the club's action. We further consider this gave great impetus to the breeding industry. "