The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19th, 1924. A RACING ENQUIRY.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 November 1924, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, NOV. 19th, 1924. A RACING ENQUIRY.

-Ir I s tile intention ol lie* duvcriiiucut in tlio course of a very little while to set ii]> a committee to impure into vaii"l'.s aspects ol the sj or t of lioise racing. The committee \\ ill consist solely ol members ol Parliament, and will •sit. in Wellington. No doubt there will bo a demand that the committee should travel through the louutry. ami take evidence from witnesses at all the plmcs visited. lon this is not t.lic inlcn. Don, and it i.s unlikely that the demand mentioned vj|| l„- acceded pi. Ihe t,'u| c ol the eoinmitlee lor the

purpose of its investigatien. it i.s understood, will be very wide and will cover almost everything within icasnu, tb.it is reckoned to he worthy of investigation. Several phases ol the inquiry will immediately concern the New Zealand Racing Conlcrenee, the governing body ol the sjxirt in this country. It is mutended liy .si.in** I.l'at the lunleivure .11

present has far ten much power—that it is a law unto itself ami that -t deals with people who collie hcucatl its rule in a manner in which even I’nrliaineiit would not act. This. .>1 course, is merely the allegation, hut il is an allegation which the inmtnitlvi is likely to lie required to silt,. I; has been said on the floor of tile House «.l liejircscntalives that a cor. tain section til the House i.s dominated in racing matters by the conference, and it i.s quite unlikely that such nil allegation as that Mill be allowed to stand without being thoroughly investigated. 'I lie conditions binding apprentice,:i to the traineas who are their masters is another matter which may find its wav on lo the order of reference, and other likely subjects arc taxation, | crmil.s. betting, and suitability and safety of courses. A decision has not been reached vet as to who the members of the committee tvill lit*. However, tin* body will consist ol representatives from every section of the House. It is unlikely die committee will lie a largo one. It mav i nn ns high as nine members, lint more likely it will be about seven. As to the date on which the committee will commence, it i.s improbable now thai it will seriously commence its operations

till early next year. In due <our.se the report of the committee will be presented to l’arliament. Tile enquiry will lie welcomed in a way as a means to dear up the doubts and difficulties of

some people who consider the Racing Conference a form of octopus. As the governing body of the sport of racing the Conlerence has done excellent work over a big term of years. The Conference i.s composed of representative sporting men elected by t lit- racing dulis from all over the Dominion. The elections are held every second year, and there is a continual change in the personnel of the dubs’ representatives. Ihe Conference meets annually when the rules are amended upon notice of motion, particu’ars of which are well advertised before being dealt with. Iho Conference has a very creditable record in regard to its work, not only in respect to the rules it is responsible for, but for the care and consideration devoted to all racing employees. For offenders there are penalties of course, but for the unfortunate in accident there i.s ready help. The cm-

ploy cos are protected also in regard to their earning power, and have liberal fees secured to them. C<iiii])eteiit men acting under the rules of racing are lilverally dealt with, and safeguarded in every res|ieet. The finding of any club committee has to he reviewed always by the superior committee of the district, and there i.s the right of appeal finally to the Conference itself on any adverse verdict which may he considered wrong. The rules cf racing must of necessity he stringent for the protection of the public who are the real Patrons to maintain the sport. The Clubs working under the rules of rne- j ing act for the people, and in that ca-

pacity administer the rules. There is no possibility of personal or private gain for any member of a club, but there is the duty on all to see that the rules of racing—the safeguard for all nre strictly observed. To {hat end

the Conference lias appointed stipendiary officials who arc available to advise Clubs, and who have expert knowledge to observe all cases for the common protection of all concerned—clubs, owners, jockeys, trainers and public. The system is so well organised and so thorough in its work, that the result of the enquiry should fully satisfy the public that all interests are cared for to tlie fullest extent.