COUNTRY RACING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1806, 19 July 1913, Page 6

COUNTRY RACING.

PROCEEDINGS GROW HEATED.

MEMBERS QUIT ROOM.

Quito a disturbing element made itself felt last evening at the annual conference of representatives of Now Zealand Country Racing Clubs. Mr. Albert Bruce (representing' the Thames and Bay of Plenty Clubs) was in tho chair, and others present w&rc: Patca, Mr. A. Christenson; Marton, Mr. A. Way; West land and Kumara, Mr. S. W. K. Evans; Feilding, Mr. E. Goodbehere; South Canterbury, Mr. R. Sellars; Dannevirke, Mr. J. Armstrong; To Aroha, Mr. R. Wynyard; Carterton, Mr. W. H. Booth; Recfton, Mr. 13., P. M Mahon; Horowhenua, Mr. F. Roe; Westport, Mr. J. Colligan; Nelson, Mr. J. Glen; Tolog-a Bay, Mr. H. E. Dodd; Manairatu, Messrs. J. M. Johnston and F. J. Nathan; Takapuna, Mr. E. W. Alison; To Ivuiti, Major Luskj Avondale, Mr. H. H. Hayr; Ashhurst, Mr. A. W. Trass; and Pahiatua, Mr. J. M'Cardle. Tho report of the executive had been forwarded to clubs at ail earlier date. Inter alia, it stated:— "The Bill promoted at the last conference, was not dealt with during the last session on account of lateness in presentation. The oxecutive, however, have had a fresh Bill j drafted, which is now lx-foro Parliament. The Bill, while containing nil tbo features of the last one, is mado also to apply to hunt clubs and trotting clubs. It may be deemed advisable to have the Bill amended, and for that purpose a copy will be placed before the conference. In 1 the Bill it is sought to get preference for the racing and trotting clubs whose interests wore affected by the gaming'legislation of 1910. During the last racing season stipendiary stewards were brought into existence, and from accounts that have reached tho executive some friction lias been caused, perhaps through tho stipendiary stewards being new to the business. It is_of course early yet to decide on their utility. However, as some clubs consider that the 6er i vices should be only optional on tho part of country clubs, the subj'ctis set • down for discussion. In tho oranion ot the executive a strong stand should bo taken against) tho law as at present, ■ whereby the gross takings are taxed It is a hardship, and being 1 such, should bo resisted." The First "Breeze." Before the meeting had progressed verj far, Mr. Goodbehere asked for the statement of accounts,. Tho chairman said that as no call bnd been made on the clubs during the year there was none to present. A small balance from the previous year had sufficed for what little expenditure there was. Mr. Johnston considered that a state, mont of receipts and expenditure should have been placed before the meeting There was no statement, no balance-sheet, •no nothing;. /He had sent a cheque from his club. Tho chairman: That was over twelve months ago. Mr. Johnston: No; not six months ago. The chairman remarked that no money had 'been received from clubs for the past year. Mr. Way stated that he had sent a chequei from his club in 1912. The chairman: In the early part ot 1912, before the last meeting. Mr. Nathan wished to know ' why tho present meeting had not been lield ijefore the Raoin'g Conference met. That would have been in accordance with the instruction issued at last meeting. Mr. Johnston: Tho meeting is not pro perly constituted. The chairman: Why do yon come to the meeting at all if you are going to find fault? . Mr. Colligan remarked that he had noted the same thing at the meetings held in previous yeixrs when certain delegates came along to cause trouble. Mr. Goodbehere pointed out that anyone was quite right in making such an inquiry as had been made in regard to the time of meeting. At this stage the chairman accepted tho onus for not calling tho meeting earlier. Ho had not had tho minutes before him. Further Storm Symptoms. The meeting then proceeded smoothly until consideration of item (2) on the order paper, "The Provisions of the Gaming Act Bill, 1913, and any amendments it is desired to move." 1 Mr. Evpns moved, and Mt. Colligan seconded, a motion to consider tho Bill, clause by clause. Mr. Goodbehere moved- as an amendment: "That in the opinion of this meeting it is inadvisable to placo any Bill before Parliament this session." Mr. Armstrong seconded tho ■ amendment. Mr. Alison rose to a point of order. Ho thought that, if tho chairman irould not ( rulo tliis amendment out. tliero sliould be a. pronounced decision of the meeting on the matter. They , had assembled for the purpose of endeavouring to help tho | country clubs, and, if there wero some representatives in tho meeting who wero satisfied to leave matters as they wero, let them go homo. After two other delegates had spoken, the chairman ruled the amendment out of order. Mr. Goodbehere and Mr. Johnston made strong objection. Messrs. M'Mahon and Colligan both directed somo warm remarks towards Mr. Johnston regarding his work on the Racing Commission, and once more the meeting proceeded smoothly for a few minutes. Dolegate Leaves the Room. Mr. Armstrong asked, a little later, whether the - country clubs would carry any weight now that the Racing Conference had sat and made no recommendation regarding the Bill. The chairman appeared not to jiotico the question. Mr. Armstrong rose to ask it again. Tha chairman: Sit down, sir! (rapping tho table). Sit down! Sit down! Mr. Armstrong made a protest about being unable to get an' answer to his question, and left tho room, although requested to romain by several other delcBi> Mr." M'Cardlo thought that Mr. Armstrong was in order. It was a pity to have offended such a good sport. More Delegates Quit, Mr. Goodbehere next raised the question as to whether there was any good reason to send Hie Bill along, seeing that Mr. Geo. Hunter had another before the House on tho same subject. This raised another argument, and eventually Mr. Goodbehere decided thait lie would not remain to take further part in the proceedings. Ho > left the room, and wrfs followed by Messrs. Johnston, Sellars and Nathan. Mr. Colligan: That clears tho air, Mr. Chairman. Other members: Wo can now get on with the. business. It was agreed that tlio Bill, as drafted by the executive, was acceptable to country clubs. Meeting Gets to Business. Tiic meeting then considered wliat steps it is advisable to take.' to ondeavour to bring about a change in the law so that the racing tax shall be levied on profits only, instead of a percentage on all revenue. _ " Mr. Alison said that the principle of tho present system was monstrous, and it should never have become law. They would only be doinc the right thing if they brought the matter before the Government and urged tho removal of taxation that was unsound and unjust. Ho wquU' move: "That a deputation oon-

sisting of tho whole of the members prosent wait upon tho Prime Minister with tho view of soliciting Government assistr.nco in the passing of tho Gaming Act Amendment Bill, 1913, and to urge a change in tho law so that tho racinc tax shall bo levied on the amount put through the totalisator and .upon the annual profits of each club only, and not upon a 24 per cpntugo of tho gross revenue." This was seconded and carried unanimously, it being decided to call on tho Prime Minister at 0,30 a.m. to-day. It was resolved to make representations to the Racing Conference regarding itlio present inadequate representation of country clubs on tho district committees. Tho formation of a Country Racing Clubs' Association was discussed and it was resolved to circularise clubs on tha question. Mr. M'Mahon raised tho question of tho salary of tho secretary (Mr. R. Wynyard). The speaker considered that he should not bo allowed to give hi 6 services for nothing. Mr. Alison spoko in high, terms o£ praise of tho work dono by both tljo chairman (Mr. Bruce) and the secretary (Mr. Wynyard), who had given their services not for any hope of gain or remuneration of any kind, but simply to help those country clubs throughout New Zealand, whiclt had suffered injustice and hardship by tho legislation that had been corned. Mr. Wynyard, he stated, would not accept salary. Votes of llianks to tlie chairman and secretary wero then earned by acclamation. Tho date of the next meeting was fixed for the Tuesday before tho New Zealand lwMing Conference meets.