CLUBS AND TAXATION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1932, Page 2

CLUBS AND TAXATION

.RACING BEING STRANGLED

(Wanganui “Chronicle.”)

M.UiTOX, May 11

At the general committee meeting of the .Marten Jockey C.nb to-niglit, the chairman, .Mr J. It. L. Stanford, moved the following remit to he forwarded to the annual conference of delegates to the New Zealand Racing

Conference: “With , a view to affecting further economies, the New Zealand llacing Conference is urged to reduce the immher of stipendiary -stewards and racecourse inspectors; and, further, that no deputies he appointed except at the request »f idtib willing to bear

tile expense of same.”

In ela lie,rating Stanford said:—

on his motion, Air

‘Jt has hoconio a habit in New Zealand in times of trial to turn to the Government for lie,ip but-- surely the best grounds to put forward as a reason or help is that you are doing your best to help yourselves. Like many others in Non- Zealand, I think taxation is hiding racing in the Dominion, 'lake this last meeting of the Alart-ou Club and consider these figures: Stakes won amounted to £430. Taxation payable to the Government by tlie club was £219 7s 6d. taxation receivable by the Government on ■ n result of the club holding the meeting was £-120 (id fid. The profit to the club was approximately £IOO and this with free labour to the club to run its meeting. To put it another way the club’s officials, hy working for nothing, enabled the club to earn for Government £420 <h fid. During the twelve months ended March 31, 1932, the club held three meetings extending over four days. The Government receipts amounted to £2741 10s 4d, of which the chib contributed £1454 Is Id. The profit to the club from 1 hei-'e three meetings come to £331. It. cannot go on. Disaster faces every racing club in New Zealand. For years the Government have been implored to do something to help—to reduce racing taxation, allow telegraphing to the totalisator and the publication of dividends, to suppress bookmaking—but all without- avail. To-day more morey is passing through the bookmakers’ hands than through the totnljsator. Club* must not use a double machine, but no meeting in New Zealand passes without a double being conducted in connection with it. I am afraid that for many clubs in New Zealand the end is in sight. What a great source of revenue for tlie Government to wipe out of existence. Can you imagine any private concern making stick a blunder “Of course,” continued Air Stanford, “this is all destructive criticism. J «A reinedy that sugge-stS itself t.t-me is for the Government to .say to the 1 clubs, ‘Halves partner.’ In other words, the profits arising from a meeting should bo shared, half going to the Government and half to the club. AYlion you think that there are no proprietary clubs in New Zealand and that all the profits made hy a club are paid away m materials and wages, the action of the Government is more incomprehensible than ever. Djirect-Iy ami indirectly, racing maintains a lot of homes in New Zealand and. every •hi)) tlinl is forced out of existence throws out of work and probably into the ranks of the unemployed men who for years have been useful, law-abiding citizens. If the Government were i alive to its own interests it would ham] out to the racing dubs i n New Zealand all art union permits for the next five years to enable these clubs to get themselves hack into a sound financial position and begin again flouring into the Government coffers the golden stream of a few years hack. “There is another thing,” said Air • Stanford. “The reduced stakes of to- J day are driving and have driven tnanv i prominent owners out of racing. Of those left, an ever-increasing number, both of owners and trainers leave New Zealand for Sydney and Melbourne. Over there the clubs get something out of bookmakers-, but here in Now Zealand we get nothing. We all know there are in New Zealand countless numbers of bookmakers and they are one of (he main factors responsible for flip reduced stakes now offered by clubs in New Zealand, By onr rules of racing, stakes are based on the preceding year’s totalisator returns. Suppress the bookmaker and the money they handle will find its wav to the fof a lisa tor. a benefit alike to clubs and the Government, and at the same lime provide a legal channel through tlie Telegraph Office for money to reach the totalisator.

''One other thing is the necessity for further substantia] economies in tlie admiiiUilration of miring in New Zealand.” reminded Mr Stanford. “Stipendiary stewards and racecourse i.npertoi's fast year eosf clubs in Now Zealand t'7fi(¥i, of which no less than £1.12!) was. travelling expenses. Tne'mil"l in t.lij., amount of nearly CSO.id fees to deputies anioimting to £771. The total o.vponTiltiro for the year came to f‘l 1.423, of vkieli £745 can snf«ly be termed non-recurring so f lint out of C 1.0/178 under L'3l'-T) eovere:l coni'creii;,' cxpeinditiire. Am times are. it is ipiite impossible for clubs in New Zealand io routinin' to cany this burden. No one will deny dial sii| endiary /( "aids and raeoi•nurse inspectors are of tlie greatest value to racing, bid I do f Link dial die money smut on denudes- and their travelling can well he saved. For die next few years clubs must revert to conducting their meetings bv stewards and judicial committees.”

The remit was unanimously carried