SPORTING RACE MEETINGS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1926, 8 December 1913, Page 6

SPORTING RACE MEETINGS.

In tin; attempt, made a- few years ago to inc.'t the wishes of that section ill the public which is antagonistic to the sport of horse racing an injustice was done to a _ class of Racing ami Hunt Clubs which deserved better treatment. The class of clubs wo refer to were accustomed to hold one-day meetings once a year. Such meetings in practically all eases were held in the country districts, and partook largely of the nature of picnic outings. Local horses figured largely on flic raeccard, the stakes usually were small, and the racing of a sporting character. Given a fine day these outings were one of the popular events of the year, and were attended by a great many people not regular racegoers. The cutting down of the number of totalisator permits issued annually crippled the finances of mcst of these clubs to such an extent that they had to abandon their race meetings, and a strong sense of grievance has existed ever since. To-day the House of Representatives will be afforded an opportunity of removing that grievance. Early in the session Mr. G. Hukter introduced a Bill to give the Government authority to issue each year thirty more iotnlisator licenses than it is at present permitted to do under the reduced number provided for by the Act of 1910, These licenses are to be granted for oneday meetings only, and arc mainly to be issued to small country Racing aud Hunt, Clubs. The Government promised that an opportunity would be afforded the House to express its opinion on the proposal, and that,_ opportunity, wo believe, will be given to-da.v. So far as can 1)0 gathered there is a majority in the House favourable to the measure. It' is recognised by those who have given any attention to tho subject that the cutting down of the number of totalisator licenses in 7010 has. not had the effect, anticipated. Instead of a reduction being recorded in the volume of \vagering through the totalisator as the rc'sult of the reduction in the number of race meetings, there has been a very marked increase in tho total turnover through the machine. This fact may lead some members to modify their views as to the wisdom of the nourse followed in 1910, and may assist the member for Waip&wa to secure redress for the country districts which were deprived of their licenses or which since may have bccome entitled to consideration on account of the growth of population.