TOO MANY RACING DAYS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1712, 15 May 1917, Page 3

TOO MANY RACING DAYS.

SUBSTANTIAL CUT TO BE MADE. Asked in Christchurch whether anything was being done with regard to the abolition or curtailment of racing in Now Zealand, the Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister of Internal Affairs, said that it was not practicable to think of abolishing racing while the war was on, but i\o doubt (hen 1 would be a substantial curtailment of racing permits. During the year which ended on only 3.lst, 1910, continued Mr Bussell, Hi!) racing permits were given, and racing took place on 3b'(i days, adding together all the separate days for which permits were given, although, of course, on many days racing took place'in different parts of the country. Such a condition while (he war was on was not only incongruous but intolerable, and Cabinet was united in the determination that there must be a substantial cut in (he number of racing days during tin* year beginning on AuguM Ist, 1017. The matter was now being carefully considered by (he Government, and it was probable that an effort would be made to come to an early settlement as to I lie amount of reduction which should bo made. After this had been arranged it was probable that the advice of the Racing Conference and the Trotting Conference would l)e asked as to how (he allotment of the permits available could most, judiciously bo made, in ordrt* to provide a modicum of racing throughout the entire country.