Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1918. THE WAR AND RACING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1833, 30 May 1918, Page 2

Manawatu Herald THURSDAY, MAY 30, 1918. THE WAR AND RACING.

HORSE-RACING in war time eame in for little oneouragement at the Wellington Farmers 7 Conference at Masterton this week. The Palmerston North delegates suggested a levy of 1 per cent, on totalisator returns for the purpose of recouping local bodies for the damage done to roads, but Mr W. J. Moore (Alakuri) went further. He proposed that the Government should be urged to stop all race meetings while the war lasted. This amendment was received with loud applause. Air Moore stated that the Government, by discontinuing the railway excursions pronounced definitely that it did not regard racing as essential. Stop the cars and they would stop the races, and save the benzine for essential work. Mr E. Campbell (Wanganui) said that races were not alone responsible for damaging the roads. Agricultural shows wore just as bad. Mr W. B. Matheson said Air Campbell had made a good defence of a bad cause. Another speaker suggested that farmers wasted more time attending stock sales than race meetings. A tire tax was the only remedy. Air T. Aloss said it was scandalous that so many men, and women, too —more shame to them—should follow racing in these times. Tax them? he asked. No; have nothing to do with them; have nothing to do with their ill-got-ten gains. Let them stop the races altogether, and so make for greater national efficiency. Air J. Prouse (Levin) said it was downright hypocrisy to allow racing and drinking to continue when the Germans were at our throats. The amendment was carried with two dissentient voices, and amidst considerable hand-clap-ping.