TOTE PERMITS

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1925, Page 1

TOTE PERMITS

statement by minister. DISTRIBUTION TO COUNTRY. DISTRICTS. M ELLINGTON, February 17. In making the announcement of the Government’s division this evening the Hon. It. F. Bollard made some interesting observations on the allocation, of permits,' and on his inspection of the racecourses of the Dominion. The Minister, in his travels since the new legislation was passed, lias visited nearly all the courses of both islands of New Zealand' to- see for himself their equipment, and to discuss personally with the clubs their claims to assistance under the Act.

“The allotment of the new permits,'* remarked Air Bollard, “upholds Parliament’s intention when it passed the Gaming Act Amendment- Act. That intention was, and I made it plain in my remarks to give new permits to country districts. That lias been done, and iii carrying out the principle the Government has at the same time given effect- to the conclusions arrived at by the Racing Commission of 1921-22. which was composed of gentlemen who are spoken of as being very high racing authorities, Messrs Fred Karl, K.C., chairman, William E. Bidwell, AY. If. Softnn Maorhouse, Jus. 11. Williams, and Stanley Rice. That outlying districts and especially districts suffering under the disabilities of isolation, should receive special consideration; that to achieve any approach to accurate justice a certain measure of redistribution is imperative, and the issue of a certain number of additional licenses is unavoidable; that country clubs a-s a class are entitled to more sympathetic consideration than they have hitherto received, it being in our judgment not only strictly just hut in the public interest that a sufficiency of recreation should he available for those living at a. distance from the larger centres, but that in certain areas a quite unnecessary congestion of country clubs was apparent and should to some extent he relieved.”

In reply to questions asked by some of the racing clubs which interviewed him regarding permits which may be temporarily available in future, owing to certain clubs to whom permits were allotted when the previous allocation was made not being able, for a variety of reasons, to use them, Air Bollard had informed the deputations that these permits he hoped to loan to deserving clubs not included in the new allocation. In referring to the matter. the .Minister stated it was his intention to assist some of the clubs in the way he had pointed out to deputations. “There are one or two clubs,” he said, “who have good claims for assistance outside of the allocation of new permits, clubs which cater for clean ami wholesome sport, whose meetings are virtually picnics for the countryside. .and who require tinanical assistance to enable them to renew their equipment and improve their courses. To clubs of this kind I may be able to loan them a permit occasionally. Apart from these odd permits, it may lie possible to loan, one or two of the permits also because some of the clubs allocated them will probably not he in readiness to use their permits this racing season. It is a matter, however, to which I shall give careful consideration.” A GISBORNE PROTEST. GISBORNE, February 18. The President of the Poverty Bay Trotting Club (Dr. Clias F. Scott) has forwarded a telegram to the Minister protesting against that Club not receiving an additional totalisator permit, and stating: “The Commission’s recommendation has not been given effect to so far as the Club is concerned.” Dr. Scott asks the Minister to grant mi extra day from the reserve of permits on loan.