RACING PERMITS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1491, 13 July 1912, Page 13

RACING PERMITS.

J THE CASE FOR RANGITIKEI. NO RACING BILL THIS YEAR. { . The first deputation which hag waited upon the Hon. \V. F. Massey einco ho took office as Prime Minister was introduced to him yesterday by Mr. E. Newman, member for Rangitilrci. It camo from tho Kangilikei Itacing Club, mid consisted of Messrs. Pemtt, Dalrymplo, A\ alker, and Phillips. Tho business of Die deputation was to protest against the action of tho Racing Commission in depriving tho club of totnlisator permits lor four racing days which it has hitherto been granted. .Representations on tho subject have been mado by tho club to previous Ministers. Mr. Newman said that the case of the Rangitikei Club was tho hardest that had occurred under the altered conditions. ■ Mr. Perrctt congratulated the Primo Minister upon his appointment, and expressed a hope that ho would continue to hold it with satisfaction to tho Dominion as a whole, and to himself, turning to the business of the deputation ho said that the Racins; Conference was to meet in, the week following, and would probably 'allot days for next year's racing, rho Racing Commission had deprived the Rangitikei Club of its four days racing, and had suggested amalgamation with- tho M'arton Club, which hod been granted permits for two days' racing. This proposal tho people of Bulls declined to entertain. At its Inst summer meeting the club had secured an attendance of 4500 people on ono day. The Rangitikei Club was prepared to* take its share of "gruel" with the rest, but it objected to being wiped out. The club had raced continuously for 53 years. In its last year of racing it paid out ,5317(1 in stake 3. It bad acquired tho freehold of 98 acres of land at a cost of JM529. On this there- was a mortgage of ,£2050. Of this a gum of JICSO would fall due in August, and in addition thcro was a bank overdraft of £°W guaranteed by tho club committee. Something liko .£BOOO had been spent on a new track, and other appointments, including accommodation for 32 trainers and jockeys, and stabling for 20 horses. Other members of thf depuration supported what had been said by Mr. Perrett. Mr. Newman emphasised tho fact that the club was a bona-fide country club, which.had done its' best to cater for country. people. The • opinion of tho Hours had been expressed in favour of country clubs as ngainst metropolitan, clubs. The report of the Commission had gone against this opinion of tho House, and of tho people; No doubt the people, would approve, Mr.. Newman remarked, if metropolitan clubs wero reduced, aud more %"? wcr -° Rivp P fo country 'dubs. J-he Prime Minister, in replying, thanked Mr. I'errett for his congratulations. In reference to tho matters raised, lio said that the report of tho Racing Commission ceased to havo forco of law after tho 31st of this month, except on one pojnt, and that was tho limit placed on the number of racing days. These days had been reduced to 250, and tho number could not be increased without legislation. Ho could not speak positively, because the matter had not yet been before Cabinet, tut his opinion was that there was nojehanco of the Government bringing down any legislation, during tho present year, affecting tho number of .racing days or affecting racing ' generally. "1 am , free to admit," continued tho Prime Minister, "that tho lincing Commission had a particularly difficult task, and mado some mistakes. I think that the most serious mistake they mado was, in all probability, with regard to tho Raugitikoi Racina Club. . It was an oldestablished club, /and certainly did not; exist .for tho benefit of any individual or individuals or for purposes of gambling, ... I will submit your representations to Cabinet, and to the Minister for Internal Affairs, who, according to tho Act, has charge of nil matters relating to racing. In tho meantime, I can only admit that you have .'a good care, and 1 will submit your representations to Cabinet." Mr. Newman thanked tho Prime Minister for his reception of the deputation. Before its members left, Mr. Perrett remarked that tho Dates Committee of tho Racing Conference would bo sitting on Wednesday next. Tho' Prime Minister promised to lay tlioi matter before Cabinet prior to that day. . ) . :