TAXES ON RACES

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1928, Page 1

TAXES ON RACES

APPEAL TO GOVERNMENT TO BE made. DUNEDIN, June 5. A meeting of owners, breeders, and trainers was held at the Dunedin Jockey Club rooms to-day for the purpose of discussing”the question of the high taxation on racing, and the high cost of railway transport of racehorses. Tho attendance was not large, and although the matters were fully discussed little came of the meeting except a decision, to organise a deputation from! those present to join: a rep-, rosentatioi! from the Dunedin Jockey Club to interview the Minister for Finance, who is at present in Dunedin. It was pointed out by the speaker that the high taxation imposed hy the Government on stakes was not only crippling, the country clubs hut was seriously affecting the bigger clubs, and racing was going back as a result, which meant that the total isntor revenue was on the decrease throughout New Zealand. In many eases clubs were being conducted at a loss hut the taxation, was still collected at no cost to the Government. It was suggested that the only method of putting the position before the Government was to organise those interested throughout the Dominion, and form a Dominion Council, who would hold their annual meeting, and thoroughly thresh out matters which aflected all the owners, breeders, and trainers from both Islands, and at the same time elicit the co-operation of the trot-j ting organisations to place the. whole matter of taxation before the authorities.

A further suggestion was made that tho Council should have two delegates to represent them on the New Zealand Racing Conference, as at present that body was composed solely of representatives of the various racing clubs. Arrangements were made to meet the Minister immediately, and it is intended, if any encouragement is forthcoming, .to organise a movement amongst all other New Zealand owners, breeders, and trainers, to bring pressure to 'bear on the Government to grant the necessary relief at the next session of Parliament. Later a deputation waited on the Minister for Finance, the Hon. Mr Downie Stewart. The deputation received a. sympathetic hearing, but the Minister said he could not hold out much hopo of a reduction in the taxation on racing.