N.Z. COUNTRY RACING CLUBS' ASSOCIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 4 February 1928, Page 1

N.Z. COUNTRY RACING CLUBS' ASSOCIATION

A meeting of the executive of the above Association was held at Wellington on the 2-lth ult., Mr W. Jewell presiding. Correspondence was submitted by the Secretary (Mr.U. Shannon) and received and dealt with. The meeting resolved to record on the minutes a vote of thanks to Sir George Hunter for his efforts with regard to special legislation on behalf of the Country Clubs at the late session of Parliament.

It was resolved to write the Rt. Hon. the Prime Minister urging in the interests of the Country Racing Clubs that special legislation he introduced at the earliest opportunity next session embodying the provisions of the Hunter bill dropped last- session.

it was decided to wait on the N.Z. Railway Board and urge in the interests of the Country Racing Clubs that the former concessions of free railway transport on the return journey of horses competing at any country race meeting, bo reinstated.

It was resolved that the following subjects be brought up at the Executive mooting in July next with a view to the discussion of same at the annual meeting of Club representatives to he held tit 'Wellington on Monday, 9th July. 192-S, at the Town Hall:—(a) That the Minister of Finance be thanked for the concession given in the amending Stamp Act last session where, by the double tax on admissions was repealed and relief given in respect to taxation on local revenue, and that the Hon. -Minister he asked also to repeal the amusement tax on members’ subscriptions which wore fixed originally to assure the stability of a Club and as a guarantee towards internal management. (b) That the New Zealand Racing Conference he written to urging that the question of representation of country clubs on District Committees he revised, the Executive to suggest a basis on which this proposal might ho considered.

(e) That the Executive bring down a report concerning the question of a graduating Totalisator Tax as a means of affording greater relief to Country Clubs. It wtts resolved to circulate all County Clubs in respect to the business of the meeting. Subsequent to the Executive meeting a deputation, consisting of Messrs Evans and Shannon, from the Executive, waited on the members of the N.Z. Railway Board when the question of free return transport for horses from Country race meetings was urged. It was intimated that the expense involved in transport affected acceptances for the more distant country meetings, and it was pointed out that this decreased the pnblio attendance reducing the railway traffic and the volume ol totalisator business, by reason ol which, also, the State lost- revenue. In reply, it was explained that while every consideration would he given to the representations made, there had been already a reduction ' for the return charges, while' in addition concessions to owners, trainers and ntteudnnts had been math- in tares when going to distant race meetings hi that excursion rates over the full distance were granted. The annual meeting of the Association will he licit! Jit the Town Hall, AYcllington, on .Monday evening, July 9th, when a representative attendance of delegates front Country Clubs is expected to deal with the 1 u am to he scheduled.