The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3rd, 1921.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1921, Page 2

The Guardian AND EVENING STAR, With which is incorporated “The West Coast Times.” WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 3rd, 1921.

THE RACING COMMISSION. Thk report of the racing commission lately made, public is a very comprehensive document. From a. printed copy of the full report just to hand, it is noticeable that flic position of raeinfi in the Dominion as a whole is very thoroughly reviewed. The report deals not only fvith the immediate present, hut also provides for the future over a fair period. If the report is adopted in its entirety it is conceivable that the last word on totalisator permits will

, tie heard for a long time to come. The question is not likely to lx* raised again at all seriously until the population of the Dominion materially increases. Such being the case the report may he regarded as a standard for action. Tim Oovernment by the publication of the complete report appeal's to have adopted it ns finch, and it is now for Parliament to accept or veto the report. The recommendations will he difficult to amend because they are based on a plan, from which it would he difficult to depart in part. No doubt as far as the Commissioners are concerned, it is a question of taking the report as a whole, or not at all. Tf the report should not he adopted in its entirety, it will lie. a serious matter for the sport. The extra permits will not be available, and districts which it is now proposed to recognise will never j have the chance of securing a totalise-

tor permit. In the same way districts over-blessed with permits.’will go oil enjoying their excess to the exclusion of their more unfortunate sportsmen less favourably placed. On these lilt s there will be a determined effort made to secure the adoption of the report, carrying with it the provision of the extra permits proposed. The Commission reviewed the reallocation in a vry impersonal way. Prospering clubs in large centivs giving liberal stake- and enjoying a large totalisator turn over, did not escape the pruning knife. The task uas fearlessly done, and it will be from the influential clubs just referred to, that tlie most effective opposition will be. forthcoming. The altitude of such will lie helpful to the -mailer clubs it is suggested should bo extinguished. and tin* common danger will lead to unity of action on their part with the major elulrs affected. -As against this concerted action, there will be the no less united action on the part of the new clubs proposed to be created. In all some 22 clubs (with II days racing) are proposed to be rejected three of the 22, being trotting clubs. Contrawise. eight new racing clubs (with ft) days and eleven new trotting clubs with 14 days) are proposed to be created. Other existing clubs will enjoy the benefit of increased permits, and naturally will be anxious to secure the extra days. There is thus the promise of a keen struggle for and against. Those against the adoption of the report will be reinforced by the section of the community who are opposed to any i-aeing at all. and in that respect will have a considerable accession of strength. Already from a,ll aecnunts

tlii' opposing forces are organising. mid there is tints the suggestion of a very keen struggle indeed. Whichever way the verdict goes in the end. no doubt it will lend to- the laying of the totnlisnt*>r ghost for a considerable period, and to that extent Parliament will he able to devote more time to matters of broader issue and more widen* public concern.