The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, MAY 21st. 1924.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1924, Page 2

The Guardian (And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times.) WEDNESDAY, MAY 21st. 1924.

RACING TAXATION. So.uk coinmeiit biis been passed by the President nf tile Gieyumutli Jockey t.ilib in legat'd to racing'taxation, in which Mr Coates indicated that the incubus .viis wrecking the Club linancially. lii-iclcntally iliefe was it gri‘*viime against the business pen) le of the northern town that voiv little was done in a Indpi •ll way to e.ssi-t Ibe Club. I-N'eu "in incc a I'terminus it is mu- the 1 filetiee. of tbe shopkeeper.* in dose, ■'ml this indifferent attitude is being resented. Greymoutli by its renttn! | usition bits ceiliiin advantages ever the Coast Clubs in the. matter of racing. and it was thought that the .sport in that quarter was flourishing greatly. It i- evident, however, Ircm tie remarks above referred to, that the Club feels the pinch of the times and in itiuiiueu t'itli other Clubs on the Coast, is suffering from financial .stringency. When .Mr Sellers, of tho Racing Conference returned to Clniit clutt-cli the other day Jitter attending the autumn circuit of racing dates on ti.e Coast, he extolled the general allround niuiiagei!.! id, of the racing, and congratulated the Clubs on what they had achieved. There is no dottbi the Clubs mi the Coast tire progressive. They have been building up an optimis. tie spirit expecting great things with the completion of the Arthur's Pass tunnel. Those expectations have not been realised yet. At tile Christmas and New Year the Clubs catered liberally to attract outside owners. Tho response was disappointing. It was even inure disappointing for the autumn meetings. Tn that respect the Clubs ventured too far for the return received. With high stakes mid heavy taxation it will not lie possible to retrieve the position financially, as income is too restricted. Tin* revenue is not clastic enough, ami there must lro inevitably a reduction of stakes. Indeed, such a step promises to become general all over the Dominion for the Clubs are finding it more and more difficult to finance with comfort. As regards taxation, a reduction is well overdue. There is no doubt the racing taxation Ims been oil the wiong principle. To he fair and in keeping with rcsuirrcs, tho taxation should he graduated. At present all Clubs pay tho same ratio of taxation, irrespective of their income, and of the relation of the receipts to the stakes iiiul expenses. There have been many cases where the staKes and expenses of a meeting have absorbed more than the income of the meeting, yet a high rate of taxation has to he paid out to the Government. The Prime Minister has promised to reduce the burden, hut the filial decision rests with Parliament. As matters stand those conducting the sport for ilie public have to hear the brunt of tho liability. All Government taxes ha vo to he paid within seven days of a nice meeting, and there is not anv loop-hole for relief if a gathering is held under adverse circtimstanres. Race meetings are now very costly tn conduct. Very properly a high standard is expected in regard to racecourses and appointments which entail a large cost. Meetings must now he conducted with so many stipendiaiy officials (also for the protection of the public) that the working expenses have grown unduly. The owners look for substantial stakes, and the Club lias to bear Jill tin’s expense to secure tin* necessary rntmnngo of the owners ami public. The onlv safety valve seems to be through reduced taxation, and if this were on a graduated scab* according to income and profit there would he more equity and hotter opportunity for racing to flourish more legiti--mutely.