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Hokitika Guardian, 30 December 1930, Page 4

The figures given in yesterday’s racing column in relation to the taxation as it affect,s the recent meeting of the Westland Racing Club, show that the main profit from the successful meeting passes inevitably to the Government coffers. The Chib has to paj almost £7OO per day in taxation for the privilege of holding the race meeting! Such a burden is manifestly wrong, and mufit tend to dull the' s»'ort. To increase the taxation at a time when the revenue of the Club is falling off is manifestly wrong., and the policy of the Government might well be revised and broadened. The owners who provide the horses for the .sport ’receive in all very little more than the total of the taxation, which is not by any means a reasonable division of the expense involved in providing the isporffto give the Government so handsome a return. The heavy drain on the totaliisntor, investments to provide taxation .is having its effect as the public, who-.are rot prepared to go on paying the 1 exoibitaut toll demanded. The totalisator returns must decline accordingly, and the loss of revenue will he considerable in the aggregate. The Government demand for taxation affects the Clubs in many ways. Even the membership subscription is now liable to the amusement tax, notwithstanding that these subscript ions are a guarantee as to the life of the Club, which is the agent for the Government' in assisting to collect so much money (without any charge) for the Government. Unless Clubs had a responsible membership, racing under the existing rules would not be possible, and as money must he found lor Club management during the interim of race meetings and in up-keeping the course and appointments, ihe members’ subscriptions might well be free from the tax as some appreciation of the valuable gratuitious services Clubs have to render in organising race meetings and in providing the staff and machinery to collect the large amount of revenue annually for the* State which comes through the well conducted race meetings. Tt is not surprising that there is an insistent demand for more consideration of the finances of the Clubs, and the fullest assistance should be given 10 aid the Clubs to conduct the meetings to the best advantage. In particular facilities should lie provided to enable money to be telegraphed to dubs. That extra money would increase the State revenue through the postal and telegraph service, as well as by the extra totalisator returns. A large sum is lost annually under the present prohibition against using the post and telegraph services, while those engaged in illicit betting are allowed to carry on the practice without contributing to the State revenue directly. The whole position is m need urgently of a complete overhaul, and Government and 'Parliament aie alike to blame, for the delay.