THE RACING REPORT.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1214, 24 August 1911, Page 6

THE RACING REPORT.

COMPLAINTS RENEWED. TIIE RANCiITIKEI CLUB. Tlio feeling in Parliament against the treatment of coiiutry racing clubs by the Racing Commission was further expressed yesterday, when the A to L Petitions Committee reported on the petition of Donald Fraser and 75 others, who prayed that the Rongitikei Racing Club might have its licenses granted as heretofore. The Committee's report was as follows:— "That this petition bo referred to tho Government for favourable consideration, and that the attention of the Minister for Internal Affairs bo drawn to the great injustice which has, in this instance, been done to tlio lfangitikei Club." Mr. E. Newman (Manawatu) spoke in support of the Committee's rccommeudalion. Something should be done to remove the threatened injustice to the liangilikei Club, which had spent a large aiiioiint of money on its course, and in providing facilities for laccgoers. The Hon. D. Biiddo (Minister for Intcrunl Affair?) said nothing could be dono without fresh legislation, and in the meantime the report of tlio Commission must stand. Mr. W. C. Buchanan (Wairarapa) said there was. no feeling against the metropolitan clubs, but country members {including- himself) had protested against injustice to country clubs in their districts. The Hon. J. A. Millar (Minister for Railways) said the commitlee nnd the members who had spoken were asking that the laws should be broken. Did not the Morion Club offer to take over the whole of tho liabilities of the Rangitikei Club? Mr. Guthric: No. They offered tho profits of two days' racing. Mr. Millar: They offered to take over nil tlio liabilities. I can show it you in the newspapers. Unless the law of last year is to be altered, the report of the Commission must hold good for 12 months. Mr. W. T. Jennings (Taumariniui) contended that Parliament had power to undo tho injustice that had been dono. He hoped his Bill for that purpose would be passed. Mr. J. P. Luke (Wellington Suburbs) said the question was om for the general election, and the House should not waste time on it now. Mr. 11. Poland (Obinemiiri) supported tho committee's recommendation.

Mr. D. Buick (Palmexston North) complained of the action of the Legislative Council in altering the. measure of last J °Mi : . J. Kail worthy (Kaipnra) said the people of Bulls had suffered no greater injustice than was involved in having to tro, eight miles to get. their day's racing. In some instances people would now have to go. ninety miles to get their day's rac- ' Mr. R. A. Wright (Wellington South) said it was a very gre.it pity that these country clubs could not realise that they were dead. Someone should plant flowers on their 'graves, and let them rest. It was very evident to him that the clubs wiped out by the Commission were. dead. What was the uss of continually stirring the matter up when it was settled? He thought that, the Takapuua and Avoiidale I?aciii» Clubs might with advantage bo wined out. . . Members: No! No! No! ', Mr. Wright raid that if these clubs were wiped out. eight days' racing won d be available, which might serve to f.i(,isfv some of the members who were always complaining. ' ,',„■.„., Mr. A. E. Glover (Auckland Central) said the T.iknpniia Pacing Club was ono of the most populo.r in the Dominion. The report was received.