The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY.JULY 4th,1923

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1923, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY.JULY 4th,1923

Thk present session is sure to he marked by the introduction of racing legislation. The racing tiutlioi itios themselves have been planning such an Act for some time, and hath the racing and trotting sections of the sport have good grounds for reasonable demands iu respect to extra racing permits. The Government lias been reaping a rich return by the racing taxation. The figures for the latest year are not given out yet, hut it will not n<> surprising if it reaches half a million. Glider the incidence of taxation, (Tillis are taxed and retaxed, and they arc feeling the pinch very severely. The one day clubs in particular have had a bad time, and they are making out a. strong ciim 1 to the Government. The. Prime Minister is pledged to reduce the stakes tax on owners, which in one step jumped from one to ten jor cent. There is also the matter of the amusement tax, which most ( lulls feel very severely. The ini', me lax is also very unfairly applied, while the public feel the pinch directly through the dividend tax. The high taxation presses unduly on the smaller dubs, the income < f which iiuu clastic enough to iccover at all readily should adverse weather conditions lie encountered. And at the same time, all clubs under the rules of of racing have to keep their courses up to a standard, and the stakes up to a. substantial sum to complv with tile wishes of the racing authorities.. The present House is said to le more

lavoiablo than usual to some relief to the (.'liihs as also to ex mm totalisalor permits to those districts st present ill served. |[ was in llltti that a teiy severe '‘out’’ was made by Parliament in fiio number of permits, and e\er since then racing has been si niggling to succeed. The .sport is admirably cumlncted. ft is. a credit to Die Dominion, 1 i'd certainly deserves better treatment at I lie bands of the authorities. The standard «:i tile sport in Xew Zealand is often refeiivd to abroad. The absence of the proprietary interests i- to its credit. Theic are no person?! profit-. .Most of the work, with country dubs in particular, i* done tn an honorary way by good sportsmen who perform the duties ns a pleasure, lint for thi-. many oi l.ie

sumlltT cl'dis would u<>t have survived .-i- long :is liny have. Al the sumo

time all tho flubs go on earnin'' revenue for tbe country. The amount is readily and cheaply collected. tlio flubs being responsible under bond for the payments which accrue. Such !>(*- ing the case there is some reason to ! expert the position I eing equitably dealt with. Racing is the prime sport ot the public. It is liberally patronised always. The Government receives much if venue as a result it the sport from its railways, and also though the post and telegraph fa< ilitics. A race nicotine in fact has a galvanising effect and draws Uie public from all parts within n. considerable radius. The sport is one which satisfies the public, and reasonable facilities should Is. 1 riven for its enjoyment by patrons. In particular, the restricted country clubs should have the opportunity of extending their ell’orts in such a v.ay that their meeting' will Is* l a success, and the outcome not a burden which falls on the shoulders of n. few enthusiasts, The smaller (.'lulls should he placed in a position to escape ilio financial responsibilities which often fall on individual memiiers.