GREYHOUND COURSING

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1928, Page 1

GREYHOUND COURSING

(Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, Jan, G. Mechanical greyhound coursing is at present the centre of bitter warfare between supporters and opponents. An extraordinary reaction has set in following the boom at the end of last year when tracks were springing up like mushrooms. The abandonment of the Crystal Palace track was the first big victory for the opponents, the decision being forced on the trustees by the overwhelming opposition of the City of London Corporation, London County Council, and Mr Thomas’s attack helped to swing a. body of opinion wliicli was formerly non-committal.

Tht Greyhound Association officially declines to regard the Crystal Palace decision as a serious setback and says that its increasing popularity is not arrested by a mere rejection in one or two localities.

The House of Commons will be tho venue for the- next battle. A committee of Commoners and Cfiurelies announce that they will fight the sport to the uttermost, preparing a case to request the Home Secretary, who lias promised a statement in the Commons on February 7th.

It is expected that a Bill will he prepared empowing local authorities to veto greyhound racing. .Furthermore a conference will shortly be held at which Bishops and other prominent persons will speak. The Greyhound Association has taken up the challenge to protect investment totalling three milions, by the formation of a Greyhound Protection Society. The Hendon Council to-day rejected track plans thereby joining Bristol, Wolverhampton, Chester Read Northampton, Newcastle, Swansea, Bristol, Wolverhampton, Chester Read ing, Ramsgate, the Isle of Man, and several London suburbs.

The sport is entirely banned in Spain.

OPPOSITION CAMPAIGN. LONDON, January 6. The Greyhound Racing Protection Association, in a statement, declares that tho opposition campaign is hypocritical and based on unfounded allegations. It challengers its opponents to substantiate Mr Thomas’s charges. Tho Association claims that greyhound racing has proved a blessing to the community notably in reducing tbe evils of street corner betting on horses It. says: “We are prepared to support a bill stopping child betting, provided it applies to horse racing and other sports, but wo shall resist unequal treatment of greyhound racing. LONDON, January 7. The trustees of Hie' Crystal Palace have issued a. statement that in view of the overwhelming opposition to greyhound racing, they will not allow Crystal Palace to he used for that purpose.