THE TROTTING CLUBS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1494, 17 July 1912, Page 5

THE TROTTING CLUBS.

CONFERENCE SITS. • IRON GRIP OF LEGISLATION. "UNDULY HABSH." Tho annual conference of New Zealand Trotting Clubs was held in the-Firo Underwriters' Association's Rooms yesterday. Mr., John Kowo (Auckland T.C.) presided, and there were also present tho following delegates:—Messrs. A. A. Fooks (Ashburton), R. Wallace (Canterbury Park), W. J. Goro (Forbury I'ark), J.Latham (Gore), A. M. Samuel (Hutt Valley), T.-C. O'Brien (Inangahun), Yi Selig (N'.Z. 'J? ottiiig- Association), J. Glen (Nelson), T. Wallace (N.Z. Metropolitan T.C, ChristciuTch), F. T, Pannell (New Brighton), Joseph, Mitchell Oaniaru), 11. R. Mackej zie (Otahuhu), J. 0. Hay ward (South AVairarapa),.Pu Wandin (Wairau),' G. Sprigg'.ns (Wanganui), John Colligan (Westport), and D. H. Roberts (Greymouth).

THE PRESIDENT. /;goveknment in weak moment." '■..In. his annual address, tho president said:—With anotlier season rapidly drawing .to a close, I'again have great pleasure in offering my congratulations to all those who have during the year provided some particularly high-class racing, and to all affiliated clubs for the continued good management of their meetings. Looking back over past.years, and considering tha amount of legislation brought in affecting the sport, it is surprising that breeders and owners find so much encouragement to keep their interest in the sport 'and industry alive. Some time back the permits were reduced by onethird, and two years ago a Bill was passed to regulate race meetings. This had tho effect of disfranchising a number of unregistered clubs all over the country. Unfortunately, more sweeping alterations were made when the Government, in a weak moment, so as to appease the cry of tho few "spoil sports," passed yet another Bill, the restrictions of which were unduly harsh. .....

Crushing Effect of the Act, Speaking of racing and trotting clubs collectively, the enforcing of the Gaming Amendment Bill had the effect of reducing tho days of racing by 54. but at the time it was hardly realised/ that automatically 'with tho abolition of the bookmaker some 150 non-totalisator clubs were forced to disband. There were certainly a. few that struggled on, but, unfortunately, it seems inevitable that they must follow suit. Such 'clubs, chiefly ' countryclubs, well-established,- were accustomed for many years to hold their annual gatherings, but, becoming Eedged-in all round, have been practically legislated out of existence. There was, at a low estimate, really a reduction of between 200, and 300 days of racing, not 54, as uni-' versallyj thought. Considering the. size of the country and the extent of its population, noi one can now legitimately raise' the cry or too much racing, for undoubtedly the sport has been reduced to the minimum, while the population is steadily and rapidly increasing. - The latest legislation has been tested for a racing -Season, and a number of iweak points have, as usual, been discovered. Here and there is room for adjustment, and it is'clearly seen that tho claims of a numubor of clubs for reinstatement were fully justified. In view of the days of racing having been curtailed much more than was generally snp--posed, those moderate people (I do not mean extremists and fanatics) who cry out against too much racing, Will, I think admit that tho law has been drastic.

■ More Than 200 Clubs Automatically'>•.' ■ ■■■ Killed. ■".'/....„- . Had it been realised at the. (.the Bill, in sweepihg"'oUt"tlie 'bookmaker' and .cutting off 54 days of "racing, automatically killed 200 or more clubs to which

I have referred and which the Bill had no intention of affecting at sill, such moderate people- would, I believe, have desired some modification' before it was passed. I douljj if even the racing peoplo themselves .knew until it was too late what (lire effect it .would liave in many cases, ond .certainly'no one dreamt after tho Bill had been passed and before the Racing Commissioners were appointed, that, on top'.of everything else, a number of very old established totalisator clubs would be abolished. The Racing Commission, on behalf of the Government, undertook certain work, ami no matter now arduous -and unpleasant it might be, tho members of it were in duty bound to carry out such work as faithfully as possible. Having been a member of it, and having done some of the work very reluctantly, I leave it for others to, say whether, the report to the Government was just, impartial, and consistent. However, after seeing the Act in operation for a year, I am strongly of tho opinion, as were all members of the Commission at the time of making their report, that those permits that wore taken away from the clubs I have referred to and held in abeyance, could very reasonably be restored to some of those disfranchised clubs and other deserving clubs which have, legitimate grievances, particularly those that possess thoroughly efficient freehold courses and appointments and provide the maximum of good sport.with the minimum of betting. ... So long as we regulate and control the sport, and keep things within proper i bounds, with due regard for the feelings of those who do not see eye to eye with us, and do not meddle in affairs which they view with favour and we otherwise, both sides should be allowed to enjoy, without molestation, their own particular forms of amusement if properly conducted? Question of Remounts. Ton will remember that prior to the last gaming legislation the Government appointed a special committee to take evidence, and thoroughly investigate the matter. I then laid particular stress on tho fact that trotting was catering for 'the' horse -that' would eventually be 'required by lhe,Government, and that it ought to receive special consideration. I pointed out that there was a great demand, for the general utility horse, and that in the event of war, if the breeding of such a valuable type of horse- were checked, the Dominion would find great difficulty in securing remounts should New Zealand be .relied upon for horses for military purposes. You will have noticed recently that the Minister-for Internal' Affairs gave it as his opinion that tho Government ought to insist that race meetings should be conducted on a method that would cncourago the breeding of good useful horses l and good remounts. He would not give consideration to a club that would not increase the stamina or weight-carrying capacity 'of the horses. ;'Several clubs' have urged strong claims on those grounds, and he would be strongly disposed in favour of such clubs as encourage- long-distance ' races. He pointed out that tho Dominion was entering on a new phase of the defence question, and they wanted to supply tho forces with fine, strong, well-built horses. They 'also wanted to bo able to provide the Imperial Government with 10,000 or 20,000 first-class remounts should they bo ' required. '; This might be assisted by the totalisator. ' So that from those remarks from tho Minister, you will sec, lie practically confirmed all that I had stated in my. evidence in the House ' over eighteen! months ago, in connection, with this important matter. The president 'then went on to refer to the work of tho executive during tho year, and spoke of the progress of the sport, quoting figures'* as to ' the prizemoney distributed.. As to the business that was coming/before the conference, there was.a prbposal to further discourage the use of hopples.by increasing the number .-of. .race's....'for-.straight-out trotters. The longer airy action jh this direction was delayed, tho harder 1 it would be to bring about tho necessary reform. On the'motion of Mr. Selig, seconded by Mr. T. Wallace; it'was decided that the president bo thanked for his address, and, that copies be circulated "among .clubs: , The balance-sheet was adopted. The amount to tho credit of,the. working account Ht May 31 was .£'Bs 8s; 4xV. "and' to' the .credit of the -Provident Fund account .£1230 18s: 6d. .. '

OTHER BUSINESS.. A letter was from the Auckland Mutual Sports Protection Association, forwarding copies of resolutions passed by that body relative to the conduct qf racing, the licensing of bookmakers, etc. It appeared that the letter had been first sent to the Minister for Internal Affairs, passed on to the New Zealand .Trotting Association, and forwarded on to the conference. Tho chairman explained that the association in Auckland was now practically defunct, and that the majority of its lucml>ers were now members nf tho New Zealand ,Sports Protection League. After some discussion, it was decided that the letter bo receivd, and that the .Minister be informel that the conference did not approve of the resolutions, and that it did not recognise the Auckland Association, which was not affiliated to the Now Zealand Sports Protection League.

Alterations to Rules, i *». Selig, on behalf of the Now Zealand Trotting Association, moved' an addition to Rulc'B7. Tho rule read as follows:—"In all programmes of clubs there shall he at least ono race per day for unhoppled horses of the trotting gait only, and at least one-se.enth of the stakes given by a club at each meeting shall be allotted to such races."—lt was proposed the following words:-"In all programmes of clubs that hold eight races per day there shall be at least two races per day for unhoppled horses of the trotting gait onlv, and at least one-fifth of the stakes given bv anv such club at each meeting shall be allotted to such races." In support of tho motion, Mr. Selig referred to the desirability of encouraging unhoppled horses. He did not think the motion would prove a hardship to any club. He hoped it would bo given a trial. Mr. Spriggins seconded the motion. Mr. Pannell (New Brighton) said he would oppose tho motion, on account of the financial side. He thought tho amount of stakes should be left to the clubs. Mr. Samuel (Hutt Vnlley moved as an amendment that the word be substituted for the word "one-fifth. The amendment was seconded by Mr. Fooks, and tarried as the motion: _ The Now Zealand Trotting Association s delegate also moved an addition to Rule 192, to tho effect that no license to train, ride, or drive be issued to any person under tho age of 17 years. . This motion met with considerable opposition, and after discussion was lost on the voices. . An alteration to Rule 191 was carried unanimously, so as to add certain words, which will give the New Zealand Trotting Association extended nowers in keeping disqualified persons off the courses under the associations jurisdiction.' Rule 214 was altered so as to extend the lwnefits of tho Provident Fund to amateur riders as jvell as professionals. Other minor alterations were also made.

Totalisator Permits. The report of the committee re dates of meetings' was adopted. Mr. Selig then introduced tho subject of totalisator nermits, and pointed out that of the tliirty-two' origiml' permits granted for trotting, never more* than twenty-eight had been in use. He thought the' time was opportune to apply to the new Ministry for their rights. Mr. Mackenzie then moved that in the event of there being any increase or redistribution of; totalisator permits that certain of the trotting clubs Iks considered; and that a denulation, consisting of the president and Mr. Selig wait on the Minister and lay before him the position in regard to the permits rightly due to trotting clubs. •"' This was seconded by Mr. Spriggins, and carried unanimously.