AN AMUSING INTERLUDE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2776, 20 May 1916, Page 3

AN AMUSING INTERLUDE

IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS STATE FLUTTER ON THE TURF [Tho following amusing debate in the British House of Commons followed a statement of the Government's action in starting a National Stud for the breeding of cavalry horses. Colonel Hall Avalker had generously Riven .'the Government his stud, valued at .£7-1,000, and the latter had taken over his breeding farms in Iceland and Wiltshire at a valuation of j£G5,600. It is the "Daily Mail's" special report.! The Government has lined up in tho ranks of racehorse owners. The news was broken to the House of Commons with becoming blushes and modest diffidence by Mr. Acland, .who is the Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Agriculture, who regards Tacing as "a low form of sport," and spoke of his long preliminary explanation as an effort to forestall "tho wrath to come."

. "It is important that horses to ho used as sires should bo tested on tho racecourse," remarked Mr. Acland, breaking the news gently. "Thereforo arrangoments.had-to bo made that soma of the horses that the Government now owns shall bo tested in this way," 110 continued, dribbling out the dreadful intelligence." "This year several of tho two-year-olds have been leased to Lord Lonsdale on condition that lie pays tho expenses connected with their training and racing, and-that if they make any winnings he shall return half tho winnings after paying tho expenses." Tho news was now fully disclosed and a gust of laughter swept over tho House. "What are the Government's racing colours?" inquired a member promptly. "I-don't know that if 0110 leases horses one can be regarded as a partner in tho use to which'they aro put," Mr. Acland hastened.to.explain, looking guiltily round to where the Nonconformist Conscience usually lurks. ! "Will they run in Lord Lonsdale's colours or the Prime Minister's?" urged Mr.' Ronald M'Neill relentlessly:

■ "Coalition colours," retorted a jocular member. •

"I <lon't' know the views : of lion, members, but personally' I regard racing as a very,, low form of sport," continned Mr.. Acland. "I think sport ought to combine physical skill with soino clement of danger 'and uncertainty, and with regard to racohorse-owning the physical skill and danger are exercised vicariously, and I : 'don't think that is made up by tho uncertainty which undoubtedly exists. Still, sires must- have their stamina tested and so they must adopt a racing career." What About Straight Tips? "To-whom shall we address questions .as ..to. the prospects of these horses winning races?" asked Mr. Ronald M'Neill, expressing alarm at "tips" being loft in tlie unprofessional hands of Sir: Acland. Mr., John . o,'Connor lavished Ireland's gratitudo upou Colonel Hall Walker, arid remarked genially that ho hoped supporters of the Government wonkl get the "straight tip." "How is this going to end the war?" asked Sir Frederick Cawlcy. "How can members of the Government preach economy at the Guildhall and yet take over this stud?" "Are the Government going to back them?" inquired an irreverent member. "I don't think the Government as a Government will hack them,", said Sir Frederick. Liberals began to shift -uneasily over this turn of tlio debate'. "Considering that the Government is starting racing, I don't think I am saying anything derogatory about them," rejoined Sir Frederick. Mr. Booh'declared that it was ridiculous to nso these high-class sires for breeding cavalry' While 'the Gorornment..was .preaching... economy -they were spending £70,000, with an annual expenditure of £4006, on what was described as "a low form-.of sport." . Museums are closed, but- £70,000 is to he spent on racehorses, pointed out .Mr. Robinson. Several members supported the Government's schcnie, and Mr. J3 nteller talked of the advantage ~.of a horse "with a little blood in it;" "I hopo there's blood in the Coalition," murmured Sir. Hogge. "I am not in the least shocked c-t the, idea of the Government receiving half the stakes," added Sir. Butcher. "A racehorse owner is quite as much entitled to the-stakes he wins as any member of this House is entitled, to his salary.-" , The reduction of the vote was moved

ljy iilr. Never suspected of such knowledge, lie repealed the fact that tho Government stable., included Night HawK, which won the St. Logcr as a. rank outsider at 33 to 1. ''Perhaps ivo can hear a little about the'more recent form of Night Hawlc," ho said, looking to tho Treasury bench, but there was no 0110 there with special racing intelligence. Mr. Acland later explained that what ho,had objected to was men whose only connection with racing was tho betting ring describing themselves as sportsmen. Tho reduction was not pressed to a division, and the vote was agreed to.