COUNTRY RACING.

Hokitika Guardian, 13 July 1923, Page 1

COUNTRY RACING.

CONFERENCE OF CLUBS. -j MORE MEETINGS WANTED. ■| WELLINGTON. July El. .M'ltlers of imj>orla!ii e and ot interest to the smaller raeine clubs were (lis-eussed at the annual conference o! the Country- Racing Club’s Association. which was held in the Town Hall lasi evening. .Mr A. Bruce (Thames) presided, and the following delegates were present:—Messrs J. Kennedy (Geraldine), T. Butler fWnipnwn), W. J. Vicki i-i ITm-owhemia), A. Good lOpuiuii.eL J. J. Burke (Waverley), W. Jewell (Eoxton). J. B. Bail-slow i'aratahi-Carlertoii), I). M. Laughton i Masiorton), W. A. Stapleton (Reefton), I). .T. Evans (Westland), and .T. Campbell. C. W. Taylor, and A. A. Siownrt lElthani). Owing to the nn- | avoidable absence of the Hon E. W. I Alison, Mr Bruce also represented

Takapunn and Avondale. THE ANNEAL BEI’OBT. The annual reiiort was as under: The Executive Commit iee have much pleasure in submiiting to the iimf<Teuce this—the iwelltli annua! report for vnur imormat ion. Ti; ■ business of the- a-sUciai ion has received every a(- | teniion during the past year, and itaffairs are in a satisfactory position As resolved at I lie hist conference, the executive met in Wellington in January last, and decided to recommend to this conference that, as Wellington is the most central place for the Convenience of lhe association's business, the headquarters he fixed there, and a permanent secretary appoieied : as ti-,e dlltie.- are very limit- ! eJ, ii is eoii-idered that a levy of one guile-,i for each day's racing will meet the ixira expense. It was al-n resolved in eiivnlari.-e all the eounfry raring eiuhs in il-.e Dominion and point out ila* objects of ihe association as

well as the desirability of all being | handed together tor ihe common weal: this was done, with uhal result i lie future will -how. It eiuhs desire to protect ila ir lights and privileges, am! secure more if po-sjhle, then they must combine and light our opponents to the lasi dilrh. Our nppoiinils are combined, and to a certain exietil lla-y have In ell a bit stiivcssful, especially in llieir opposition to any extension ol | l lie ihn ' ut raeing. . ~, . ' . . I ihe diati ot a lull mr all increase : in ihe days of racing will be sub-j milted lor your consideration. one ot j the prineipai feuttires being to grant 1 p in. I ore nee to clubs who ut present j '

have only one day’, raeing, and to liew clubs who have made the necessary provision for carrying on the sport. A liii! was prepared for presentation to tlie hn-t -e.ssion of l’arliameiii, hut was dropped on the advice of niir friends in the House.

Tiie practice adopted by -nine elidis of I:i: 1 ■ li l1<_5 their meetings outside their own di.-i riels is certainly against tin, best interests of country raring clubs Generally. We have pained sympathy e-.eii from seine of our opponents in I’arliaiiiMit —l h our constantly statin" one or two days’ racin'; in country places was the means of bringing senior- iueether for frieiilly intereouisi - beiier ihan any oilier means 11 1 ; 1 1. in taei. it was a country picnic where e.-u h brought llieir <iwn provender and foregathered in manipulating it. Totnlisalor licenses are praeUYal-

!v >_• r.-ilit('tl to tho residents of the various (Imriels, and clubs are merely (lie purveyors on their behalf. Of com-e. it may he argued that having only one day'' racing, and flic many i all-- on ihe revenue, eompel clubs to •■old meetings in large centres where the gale money and extra iolalisaior receipts enable them to square no- (•< ill it ts ; however, it is against ottf inlerc-.ts to rotmieium e inking away from the residents anv privilege tiiat waving mnv confer.

The eiiishing taxation we are called upon In hear ref|ttiros a very sirring protest, and request for relief; we IM'ar-l ieally pay double taxation, in this "'ay: Wo have to pay the amusements t.ax. and a tax on all revenue arising hum a race meeting; and after thus being skinned, if we have any halanee let t. " e have to pay income lax oil It. riioiv are also limes when elttli.' through adverse eireimt.sl anees lose money over a meet in", Ini I while this frees them Imm the payment of income tax. all the other taxes must be paid. Tin- Chairman moved the adoption of the report. lie eriti ised the taking of country clubs’ meetings on to metropolitan courses. In Ins opinion if was contrary to the principle of country meetings, which were specially for ihe country people, and not for Hie towns. Afr l>. J. Evans, after endorsing the cliairtiiaii’ remarks concerning the racing on metropolitan courses, expressed tlm hope that something would be done to organise an executive so that active steps'could be taken throughout the rear to keep the claims of the country lulls prominently before the Governmmi.

Other delegates abn expressed themselves against depriving the residents of country districts of their rare meetings. except, under the most exceptional circumstances.

The balallee sheer showed a credit halanee of £ls 1:1s 1 Id.

The report a,ltd balance-sheet were adopted. The headquarters of the as-oriatimi were fixed in Wellington, and ii was resolved that a soertary should be appointed. the salary and appointment to be left to the incoming executive. It was decided that the delegates present should form a deputation to the Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Allans, io lay the claims ot country clubs before the Government, the speakers to lie .Messrs Bruce. Kvans and Stewart. (V.nideration was given to an amendment to the Gaining Act sought by the a.-.-oeiation. giving extra totalisator permits, particularly to one-day elulis and new clubs desirous of instituting racing in their district', fitly extra permits are asked for. The election of officers resulted: President. Mr W. .feivell (Fnxiott) : vicepresident. Mr 1). .1. Evans t Westland) : executive, .Messrs ,1. Kennedy (Geraldine) and ,1. Finney (Kelson), representing the Sot It Island, and the lion F.. W. Alison tTaknputm) and Afr Albert Bruce (Thames), representing the North Eland. The following motion was passed : ••The Country Ifaein" Clubs’ Association emphatically protests against the action of the Racing Conference imposing penalties anti conditions on persons win; have been granted permission tinder the Gaming Act regulations to ettior upon racecourses during race mcetiugs; that the conditions attached to the permit's are in direct confiht with the spirit and intention or the regulations. am! this association respectfully suggests to the Hon Afinister of Internal Affairs the necessity of adding to the regulations the right of appeal to the said Minister by dissatisfied per-

soils. A heartv vote of thank was actortlf.cl to Mr iiriKO, who did not seek nomination this year for the office oi President.