N. Z. COUNTRY RACING CLUBS ASSN.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 July 1929, Page 3

N. Z. COUNTRY RACING CLUBS ASSN.

ANNUAL MEETING

WELLINGTON, duly 13

EXECUTIVE REPORT

t The representatives of Country . Pacing -Clubs are called together again for the annual meeting. . .Clubs in the interim since last an- . uual meeting have been kept advised Of the activities of the Executive. ! During the period • under review an Executive meeting was held at Wellington in January last, and Clubs were advised of the result, the principal business being a very friendly interview with the .Minister of Internal Affairs (Hon. P. A. de la Perrelle). A shorthand report of the proceedings at the interview was supplied by the Hon. Minister and details will be availanle at the annual meeting. Your Executive bad the impression that the Hon. Minister is anxious to help the Country Clubs where be can. lie lias first-hand knowledge of the difficulties they are passing through, and it is satisfactory at least to know our position is sympathised with by one charged with the special care of the conduct of the sport with which the- Clubs sire, interested. A good deal of spade work lias been done by the Executive in placing the position of the Country Clubs before the Government, .and although not directly represented at the deputation to the Prime Minister in regard to racing affairs, organised, by, the Sports Protection League, the Executive through t}ie President submitted to Sir Joseph Ward a clear statement of the wishes of the Country Clubs organisation in regard to the matters under consideration and a courteous acknowledgement in reply was received from the Rt. Hon. Gentleman. This Association has been useful in the past as a lever to bring about alterations in the law which have been of advantage to the sport generally. It was .due to the initiative of the Association that Clubs-received the additional representation on District Committees, and extra days of r racing were gained for Clubs.,, including Hunt Clubs, at the instigation of the Association. The • Association; has to its credit ajso valuably, help to some of the .smaller Clubs in the matter of retaining both .days-and dates for racing fixtures. With these achievements in mind the Association may well continue its organisation in the desire to secure .further practical results for those vitally concerned. On that account the Association has been pressing for increased consideration in regard to the rebate on totalisator tax to the smaller Clubs, and it is pleasant to think tliai:a-measure df siicce--in that respect may he won sooner than some expect. This is really a very important Club matter, and your Executive has had the business verv much in mind,-and there are hopeful possibilities in the matter. The Executive in the requests put forward to the Government lias not been unmindful of the, interests of owners, and matters on their behalf have been pressed for also, both in respect to railway charges oq transport and in respect to stakes tax on tho smaller amounts offered at Country Club meetings.

With regard to the public, the d<sire has been to have the law amended to permit of the publication of div : dends, and also to prevent the irregular meetings, by providing facilities by post or telegraph for investment < ectly through the Clubs concerned. In respect to many struggling Club' the Racing Conference has been asked to give wider executive powers when dealing with conditions of programmes, and curtail levies to the (fullest extent. An amendment to the Gaming is to be brought before the present session of Parliament. Clubs require b be united in this matter, and it is hoped will press upon the Parliamentary representative of the district, the desirability of supporting' the measure. The amendments promise to be of considerable value to smaller Clubs in that facilities to transmit money are likely to increase the totalisator turnover, diverting money at present going through illegitimate channels to legitimate channels whereby not only Clubs funds but also public revenue will be increased. It is believed the sporting public as a whole would welcome suen a change because many at a distance are forced now to break the law repeatedly through lack of opportunity to invest in a regular way through the Clubs. In that way both the civil amracing law are defied at a risk which would not be taken were there legitimate means of investing at meetings at which it is reasonable to expect sporting men are from time to time interested financially, but cannot attend in person. It appears to be a simple means of meeting a general necessity and will bring the Dominion into- line with other places where the facilities desired already exist. The information sought for in a public way may now be obtained only from illicit sources, and the seeking of it t is in itself an encouragement to patronise the illegal resorts rather than through the lawful .channels. It is to be hoped therefore that the Country Clubs will be united in the effort to secure this session the reasonable and proper concessions to the cleaner conduct of the sport now asked for.

The Executive looks forward to useful results following a large and influential attendance of representatives from all parts of the Dominion.

On behalf of the Executive, D. J. EVANS. President. MOTIONS CARRIED. That Government he asked when finances permit, to grant an increased totalisator rebate to smaller Clubs based on a limited average totalisator turn-over per day, and that it bo pointed out the matter is of urgent importance to many Clubs at present in a struggling condition. That Government he.urged to remit amusement tax on subscriptions from Club members, such income being fully esesntial to secure the Club’s stability in providing funds for general management, and in creating an association of members who have to incur considerable financial responsibilities to secure the proper conduct of the •sport in the respective districts. That to encourage owners to visi* the more distant Country Club race meetings where stakes are restricted. I lie Government he asked to grant free transport hv rail Ifor competing horses on the return journey. That to offer further inducement ty owners to partonise more freely the secondary racing fixtures tax on sums not more than 100 sovs. won in any event, he reduced to 2-J- per cent. That it he suggested to tho New Zealand Racing Conference that during the present period of difficulty an* stringency for many .struggling-Conn- • try Clubs, neW rules affecting stakes, distances, class 1 races' for ’jockey^,' etc..ho made permissive 1/ygiving wider” executive po>v<;vs' where deemed. - desirable, particularly, under-Part VT (go.v.erning race meetings.