RACING AND TAXATION

Hokitika Guardian, 30 May 1924, Page 1

RACING AND TAXATION

C.J.C. Cl lAI UMAX'S lIKAFaIMCS

[llV TKPIiGKAIUI—IT.It I’ItUSS ASSOCIATION.] CIIHISTCHUIiCTI. May ‘-’O. Speaking at the annual meeting ol llio Canterhury Jockey ( lull to-day. the Chairman (Mr John Grigg) said: "Are thi‘ racing clubs to-day being treated in a lair manner;' Alter paying exorbitant taxation, as I have shown, in many cases out of reserve funds, the rail charges on horses are out of all reason, and many race trains have to he guaranteed liy the Clubs against loss, if all departments of the railway showed as much profit as the race trains and the carriage ol horses, then the Minister of llailways would have easy work. I should very much like to see a proper balance-sheet taken out. as to how much the railways of New Zealand gain hy the extra passenger and horse carriages. Looking at all these facts is it humanly just and right that the racing clubs art being taxed to breaking point—so much so that, the racing clubs might lit forgiven if thev said: •‘Sorely ai enemy hath ilone this:"

Air George Could (Treasurer) saiu that, with regard to the reduction m the totalisator turn-over, this wahard to account for. Probably it due to the temperament of the Canterbury people, who were no rash speculators and did not put their hands out further than they could take them hack with safety. Without being regarded as an anti-snort. Mr Could said there were too many opportunities for the people to get in Christchurch. In Wellington there were 10 days; in Dunedin 111: and in Christchurch 2S. That was more than one day a fort night. His own impressions were that l otting t i a reasinahle limit was a harmless amusement. :< long one wa.s not at it too often. One should mine at it fresh, and then drop it for a while. It would he better to reduce the opportunities for belting and so .avoid the danger of having the totalisator wined out altogether. Moderation was essential.