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Hokitika Guardian, 15 March 1924, Page 2

T/Knisi,ATlo>r will be looked for in the coming session, also in regard to the racing question. The Clubs are vitally interested in regard to some relief from the present high taxation. There is a very large sum contributed to the revenue from racing taxation in all its forms. Clubs have to pay on their totalisntor investments, and in regard also In other receipts, and in addition an amusement tax. Tile public are penalised in the dividend tax. and the ownin the .stakes tax. These five sources of income gave the Government, last racing season, from the Clubs £476.000. The Goevrnment has promised relief to the owners by a half reduction. The Clubs are naturally looking for some consideration also, because under the taxation at present levied They are largely collecting machines for the Minister of Finance. At the same time Clubs are expected to conduct their meetings on a lavish scale-—give good •stakes, provide first class accommodation. and generally maintain the sport at a very high standard. To do all this most of the Clubs have gone into debt heavily, so much so that relief is urgently necessary, ft i.s suggested it should be given by removing the amusement tax, and reducing the tax on the gross turnover by the totalisato.. If there were a measure of relief under these beads the Clubs would be encouraged to attempt move for the benefit of the sport, which has an excellent record In this country. Thanks to the organisation of the Racing Conference. the sport is very free from reproach a'nd would be even more so if the Government were to give Feed to the reforms the Racing Conference has asked lor unnvailingly over a long term of years now.

Tiik reforms required to help keep the sport in better odour, is to combat the evil of illicit betting through bookmakers by permitting money for investment on the totalisator to be telegraphed to racing Clubs; to provide where considered advisable for the doubel totalisator: to permit the publication of totalisator dividends; to increase the number of racing days in order to meet the legiti-

male claims of several clubs for extra days of racing. It is understood a Gaming Bill will be brought down in July next, at least the Prime Minister lias so promised, and if so the clubs and votaries of tile sport will look for the matters above referred to, being giappled with. There i.s no doubt that apart from the specific racing taxation referred to earlier, the country derives great benefit from the promotion of racing in the country. There is the large revenue reaped through both the railways and postal and telegraph departments. All this income cannot be ear-marked, but it must total many many thousands of pounds. New Zealanders are a sport loving people, and horse-racing is popular everywhere. The Government reaps a rich return from it all. The volume, of racing in the Dominion means also much for the benefit of general trade and intercourse. It induces travel, arid the people who go abroad, do not fail to spend money freely. Altogether racing and its pursuit is a factor in the general prospered the country, and as such it should lie the zealous care of the authorities to see it well safeguarded and regulated. so that the public "ill be protected fully, and those catering for their enjoyment not taxed unduly, hut encouraged to maintain the highest standard of excellence possible for the spoil to enjoy.