COUNTRY RACING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1715, 22 May 1917, Page 3

COUNTRY RACING.

REPRESENTATIONS -TO THE

MINISTER

The impression that if racing is to he curtailed'the New Zealand Racing Conference will endeavour to cut out the smaller gatherings until (he conclusion of the war has caused the New Zealand Country Racing Club’s Association to forward circular letters to the Minister of Internal Affairs and various members of Parliament protesting against such a step being taken. The Association claims that such treatment would be unjust, and that it should be able to claim an equal voice with the Racing Conference in the matter. As the result of the letter received by him from the Association, Mr AV. H. Field, M.P., has sent the following communication to the Minister of Internal Affairs : “The curtailment or total abolition of horseracing during the war period is, I am satisfied, demanded bv the people of the city generally. The Government would have been wise to have dealt with this matter with other movements for bringing (he necessity tor economy home to (he people at least two years ago. I strongly urged on the head of the Government in the early stages of (he war (he vital need of organisation and restriction of both public and private expenditure. Cp to thci present there has been little or no sign of private economy or curtailment of luxurious living in our midst. The subject, however, to which 1 wish to draw your attention particularly now is that of horseracing, a matter to which I have little doubt you have already been giving thought and attention. If horseracing is to be abolished absolutely, all will, of course, be treated alike; but if, as probable, there is to be reduction only, then it should be apportioned as nearly as possible fairly between the metropolitan and country (dubs. There is a growing feeling amongst the last-named (dubs that the question will be largely determined by the Racing Conference, and, as country (dubs'are insufficiently represented on (he conference, there is a natural fear (hat an attempt will be made to enforce the reduction of meetings chielty on the country clubs. I commend (his matter to your serious consideration. There is at least as much to be said in favour of country meetings as metropolitan ones, and the small gatherings should not be made to suffer any more than the larger ones. I feel sure you will recognise the justice of dealing as far as possible eoultablv with all clubs."