N.Z. COUNTRY RACING CLUBS’ ASSOCIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 4 July 1931, Page 3

N.Z. COUNTRY RACING CLUBS’ ASSOCIATION

EXECUTIVE REPORT, 1931. The annual meeting of Lie above takes place at Wellington on the 15th inst. The following i,s the annual report to be presented to. the /meeting of delegates. - -L Gentlemen:—ln reporting on behalf of the Executive for the past racing season, one can look back only on a very serious period in the history of racing in New Zealand. When delegates last assembled, the position was one of concern, and it was hoped ere the year passed there would be. an improvement. Your Executive had it in mind to meet in .January and approae! the Government once again, and reiterating fonner requests for relief, point to the steady decline of the finance, and the approach of the catastrophe so often predicted as a. result of the draining taxtion on Clubs, owners and racing, patrons, and the facilities still, permitted to those competing illegally with the totalisator, whence is derived the bulk of legitimate racing revenue and is the assured fountain for the maintenance of the stakes. Unfortunately, the absence of the Prime Minister precluded any definite move at the appointed time, while no sooner had the Rt. Hon. Minister returned than a public statement as to the national .finances gave the general outlook for the country a serious turn. The . political situation also made the position more difficult, and the unfortunate earthquake visitation also transpiring,- it was felt the time was not at all opportune for any public action on behalf of the Association.

The general position was reviewed in an interim circular in March last, and unfortunately the outlook-has not changed for the better in the interval. ■Consequently, it has been imperative to mark time in the matter of seeking relief, but matters are now reaching such a pass that it seems of the highest importance the situation of the Clubs should be brought before the authorities for serious consideration. It has been mentioned repeatedly that the State, the Clubs, and the owners providing the sport, lose heavily annually by the loose method of regulating totalisator investments. Through that channel there was the opportunity for easily collected State income, but the suggestion of a monopoly is in name only, and the State’s endeavour to meet the position hv increasing tbe totalisator taxation and practically permitting the leakage to continue unchecked, has been more harmful still to Clubs and owners. The decline in the totalisator turnover forced down to a considerable degree by the increased taxation, effects Clubs, directly and owners indirectly. . Stakes have had to.be decreased, even by leading metropolitan centres, and .this is having its effeet on the sport, and the public patronage is being affected. The drop in nominations in some of the centres for classic events is indicative of a contraction in ownership. Some of the minor Clubs have had to ahan'or meetings because of small entries. The sport is thus approaching a very serious position, one, unfortunately which has been anticipated and predicted, hut out securing the practical sympathy of those who might assist to overcome the general situateion. So far as taxation is concerned, there should he a very definite protest to the Government on the situation now so plainly manifest. A union of all forces. connected with the sport of both racing and trotting might well he organised to present the case for both branches, .the interests of which arc so much identified in regard to the heavy burden imposed, by the taxation so long complained of unavailingly. No doubt with regard to local expanses, Clubs are down to bedrock. In most cases, Country Clubs are conducted mainly by honorary officials, and s far as internal economies permit, savings are being effected. The Ciuus will look for more economy in the New Zealand Racing Conference. This was referred to in the March circular, arm since then an announcement was made of reductions effected. Details of the savings will be perused with interest so as to guage further possibilities of savings in that, direction. The Racing Conference has built up a very effeeti. e organisation, .ensuring complete control, and the result has been all for the benefit of the purity of the sport. With general tightening of finance it remains to be seen if so expensive a system can be maintained by the Clubs, and an overhaul appears to be imperative. The cost of racing must he subject to the times, as we find the cost of living is, and there is a responsibility on the. delegates attending the annual conference of the Racing Conference to watch this aspect. No doubt several of those attending the annual meeting of - the Association will be participating in the Racing Conference, and 'it would Tie well if they could get together and follow a line of action to safeguard Country Chibs’ interests to the fullest extent. It is manifest that the smaller clubs more remote from racing centres will be feeling the pinch of the times the most, and their plight should have consideration in connection with the review of the Rules of Racing. While rules are essential for the good government of the sport, it is plain wi-‘h racing so well and cleanly established as it is, that small clubs in particular should be hampered with stringent regulations which might be applicable to centres with large entries

available for class racing, which would have a prohibitive uilVct on the sport in the smaller centres. The permissive powers o'J the President or Executive should be modelled to meet such cases not only in the interests of the Clubs hut in the maintenance of the sport in localities where it has long been established and where for the cncouragem iit oJ local owners, it might well be maintained. As a result of the time, also, the present appears to he ari occasion when at least tentative leave might be given to smaller racing clubs to include not more.than three trotting events on each day’s programme. In the remote centres where entries are restricted because of cost of transport and lowered stakes, it is difficult to secure six or seven good racing fields in the day, and the inclusion of the trotting events, are helpful In that direction. Better all round speculation results at ‘the country meetings with the mixed sport, which means an increased attendance and interest in the meeting. This demand is a product of the times as a means to help racing in the back country, and any concession made as suggested, might be one open to review subsequently when conditions improved. By such a tentative measure all interests would be preserved, and with the Rules of Racing now under consideration the time is opportune to open the question. Members of the Executive have shown an interest in the plight of the Clubs, and Mr Graham o) Waverley in particular, has put forward interesting statements on the position. These will be placed before the annual meeting for consideration. At the present time it is important for the Country Clubs 10 remain closely associated in order to jointly watch universal’ interests, and endeavour to promote action which will be for the general behiefit. Clubs in the past cheerfully took on the task and liability of conducting a popular sport in their localities. The best results have been achieved, creditable to all concerned. At the moment, the difficulties in the way of sustained success are considerable, but Clubs have carried on in a progressive spirit, despite adverse conditions, and that attitude inn ntained should assist in the surmounting of troubles which it is possible to ease in all fairness, if those in authority took 911 equitable view of the situation of racing at present. Trusting a measure of relief will soon be granted to remove the stringency of the position, and so arrest ihe present dangerous drift to serious consequences. Yours Faithfully, D. J. EVANS President.

MOTIONS FOR ANNUAL MELTING

1. That this meeting representative of the Country Racing Clubs expresses ■n urgent desire for 'he passing ol an amendment to the Gaining Act. giving the relief so long required to ensure the immediate future ot racing and to assure the ultimate luture ol a, national sport. 2. That ’in the interests of maintaining ihe Country Clubs and pending the passing of amendment:', to the Gaming Act to that end, the rebate ot totalisator tax to small Clubs be 1} per cent, up to £250, or so much greater percentage not exceeding 2\ per cent., as not to exceed the max.mum of £250 to anv Club’in one year.

3. That to reduce costs to owners attending minor meetings, the stales ax on sums of less than 100 soys, in any •vent be reduced to 2.J- per cent. 4. That Country Club delegates attending the New Zealand 'Racing Conference be requested to support a proposal to permit up to three trott'ng ,-vents (with the permission of the Executive) being included in each days racing programme.

5. That delegates attending the ~v e w Zealand Conference be urged to support economy proposals in the, amendment costs and administration of the (Racing Conference with a view to lightening the annual levy on contributing Clubs., ... . ...