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Hokitika Guardian, 29 June 1925, Page 2

The Government through the Minister of Internal Affairs has indicated that it intends to redeem the long-standing promise of the late Prime Minister to the smaller racing clubs by granting a special remission on toialisator turnover lip to £20,000 for a meeting. The details of the proposals are not available as yet, hot the taxation on racing and trotting clubs is so burdensome, that the relief is needed all round. All the Clubs could do with a lightening of the burden they are hearing in the way of taxation. The Government receives the money from the source indicated for very little trouble and at no risk. All the expense and risk is with the clubs, tor the Government levy on the grass turnover without any allowance for cost of buildings, machines or overhead running expenses. It would be an equitable adjustment for some allowance to be made under the heads named, and in that concession all clubs should participate. These clubs which have installed electrically controlled machines have done so at very groat cost. The change over has enabled ninth larger sums of money to he put through in the aggregate, hut the Government levies in full just the same witnout any concession for the improved mechanical means to secure a larger iotalisator turn over. One of the conditions indicated by the Minister is that clubs are to devote any relief from the proposed remission or reduct'ion itiowards 'improvements. Most clubs are in the position of having installed the improvements in advance, and are now carrying a load of debt in consequence of borrowed money. Doubtless the conditions sought to he applied will be varied to cover such cases, hut if not, the hardship of the position will soon he brought to the notice of the Minister. As the taxation is enforced now. there is a dual system in vogue by tne retention of the amusement tax on admissions. ( Itibs all along have been taxed on gate receipts on the respective meetings. and where income tax is payable on any profits revealed there was already a. dual tax. But the amusement tax is a separate levy outside the other taxi's, so that in several instances clubs are being taxed tlnice on the same receipts. I hat is tin inequity which should be lighted also. '1 lie re are other directions in which relief to the sport might be extended also, particularly in regard to owners travelling. Tbe rail wav charges are unduly high lioiw that a charge is imposed on the double journey to and from a. race meeting. In regard to other competitions. Government gives free railage on the return trip, and it is not iiniea--onable to ask for a like eoneession in regard to racing and trotting. The sport depends on the owners and their ranks should be maintained so as to sustain i lie lields. w hich in turn assist the lotalisator from which the Government draws so much ready income. Government revenue could be assisted materially also by allowing clubs to receive money lor investment by telegraph. This extra income would far exceed any concession to owners thus doubly helping without reducing the net income derived from the sport.