Racing Clubs' Con fere nee.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 July 1911, Page 3

Racing Clubs' Con fere nee.

Tlltf LIMITATION' OK SPORT. [I'Kft PKEBS ~\ AY ELLINGTON, This Day. The annual conference of delegates of Racing Clubs opened to-day, Mr Clifford presiding. In his address, the President mentioned that the gravest movement during the past season had been the enactment of further legislation affecting hor.se racing. So far as this reversed tho previous imposition of the baneful system of licensed book-makers it must meet with cordial approval. Unfortunately last session's Actwent further and decreed the contraction of sport 'by a rather peremptory process. "To fortify ourselves against future attacks," added Mr Clifford, "we should aim at a higher standard in the appointments of our racecourses, and afford such provision fnr the comfort 'of spectators as may increase the popularity of healthy open air sport, it is roma.rknblo that our opponents consist almost wholly of those who 'have no personal knowledge of the subject of their invective. Without waiting for a desirable change of prejudiced opinion, it behoves us to combine for the preservation of our rights to all rational amusement not inconsistent with moral obligations. The true defence, if ono were- needed, was in establishing in men's minds that our aims, our processes, and our practices are above suspicion. Never in the history of racing had a country a better o_pportunitv for maintaining a noble sport in the noblest manner."