RACING TAXATION

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 190, 28 August 1937, Page 11

RACING TAXATION

H.B. Jockey Club Favours Reduction ■ - REQUEST FOR REFUND "I feel that it is time that the taxation on Tacing clubs in New Zealand should be Teviewed by the Govermnent and should be reduced, " said Mr G. A. Maddison, at the meeting of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club in Hastings last evening, in according support to a suggestion that the Minister of Internal Affairs be asked to continuo the refund of £500 totalisator duty. He contended that the club was by "out of the wood" as regards its finances. The chairman, Mr G. D. Beatson, also mentioned that actually the Governmeut eolleeted more from the club than was paid in stakes. Mr Geo. Ebbett, a vice-president, moved that the Minister be written to, expressing the club 's appreciation of the grant of the refund in the past, and expressing the hopo that it would bo continued, as it had been of greal; assistance to the club. The chairman said that Mr J. S. McLeod, president of the New Zealand Racing Conference, was' afc present in Wellington to confer with the Minister and officials on this very matter. Seconding the motion, Mr Maddison said that it was essential that a continuation of this consideration should be obtained. Although the club had experienced a successful year, its costs and expendituro during the eomiug year would be increased, and actually the club was not yet out of the wood by any means as regards its iinancial position. Contending that it was timo taxation on racing clubs was reviewed and reduced Mr Maddison said it was recognised that the clubs throughout New Zealand had a particularly hard job. "One of the reasons why so many of our New Zealand horses go over to Australia is bccause of the higher stakes," he said, "and clubs in New Zealand cannot increase their stakes unless they get more consideration." "The Government takes more from us than our stakes, which seems a ridiculous thing to me," said the chairman. "Last year our stakes amounted to approximately £5000 and we paid out £6000 in taxation. The position is general throughout the country — and it costs the Government nothing to collect it either," he added. The motion was carried unanimously.