COUNTRY RACING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2757, 12 July 1924, Page 3

COUNTRY RACING.

CONFERENCE OF CLUBS,

QUESTION OU TAXATION

A SUGGESTED GRADING

The annual conference of the New Zealand Country Racing Club's Association held at Wellington on Tuesday last and briefly referred to in onr last, issue was presided over by the president, Mr W. Jewell, of Foxtail. There were also in attendance the TTon. E. W. Alison (Takapuna) and Messrs D. J. Evans (of Westland and Knmara). A. Rae (Thames), A. Way (Marton), W. A. Lyon ( Woodvillej. R. Macdonald (A shiniest), E. R. Neale (Nelson). D. M’Laehlan (Mnsferton), A. L. Falls ( Napier), F. Riche (West port) T. Butler (Wnipawa), W. Bull (Levin), W. Barber (Foxton), and Ulie Shannon (secretary).

According to the annual report, the most important business during the year was the deputation to the Prime Minister, organised by the eountrv clubs and kindred bodies. Country clubs hail felt the hardship of racing taxation, and also the restriction of the days of racing. Unless relief in the direction named was granted, many country clubs would find difficulty in carrying oil. Tile Premier received the deputation in sympathetic vein, and whilst he anticipated a certain amount of opposition lie thought the feeling of the House was in favour of several of the provisions of the Gaming Bill. The executive would like to direct the attention of affiliated elulls to the rapid increase in the conduct of race meetings by the number of highly-paid stipendiary officials appointed and urged the controlling authority. - to minimise the cost to the country clubs wherever possible. The finances of tbe association were in a satisfactory Mate. The association existed to benefit country clubs and it was proposed lliat the executive should be increased in order to extend the sphere and inlluenee of the association. It was suggested that tits present representative of 4-2 from each island should be increased to 6-3. RELIEF URGENTLY NEEDED. In moving the adoption of the annual report, the chairman congratulated members on the fact that several new clubs had been enrolled. This in itself was an indication of the fact that the aims and objects of the association were appreciated. The speaker referred to the sympathetic reception the deputation to the Prime Minister had received. It was well within the knowledge of members that most clubs were showing a loss, nnd it seemed that relief was urgently needed. Reductions in expenses and in taxation were necessary. There was also tlxe question of the rapidly-increasing cost of the annual meeting, and many iriubs were beginning to experience great difficulty iu carrying on. He suggested that members should individually canvass other clubs and try to obtain their support and affiliation with the association.

The motion yjras seconded by Mr Evans and, on being put to the meeting was carried. Further, to the chairman’s remarks in regard to canvassing for membership, Mr Way suggested

that llie executive should write to all the country clubs and all the bunt dubs requesting (hem to join (lie association. A GRADUATED TAX.

The fact that a flat rate reduction in taxation was suggested was commented on by Mr Lyon who was of (lie opinion that the tax should he a graduated one. The big clubs did not need much or, in fact, any help. The fact (lint they could use large sums of money for improvements was certainly sufficient indication that they were in a sound position. It was in the direction of helping llie smaller chibs that a mqve should he ma(le, and the pressure on these organisations should be relieved as much ns possible. Strong repiesontntion should he made to the members of Parliament asking them to support the suggestion for a graduated tax. The speaker did not think that the cost of running meetings had increased to any great extent. The payment to the Sports Protection League he characterised as “an absolute waste of money.” Oil the motion of Air Lyon, seconded by Mr ABLachlan, it was finally decided that representation be made to the. Minister of Finance and to the members of Parliament for llie various constituencies represented at the meeting, with a view to having the gaming legislation amended in the direction of having tlie totalisator tax graded in accordance with the totalisator turnover. Mr Rac was of the opinion that the clubs should move for a reduction of the 2S per cent, tax to 1J per cent, in perferenee to the graded tax. This, he said, was the suggestion that had been made by the ex-president, Mr A. Bruce. It was decided that if he a recommendation I hat the tax per diem on (he gross totalisator returns be as follow: —1 per cent, on returns under £'15,000; 1 A per cent, under £2O--2 per cent, under £25,000; and 2A per cent, over £25,000. It was decided on the motion of Air Rhodes, seconded by Air APDon••tld. to write to the Racing Conference, suggesting that the payments to stipendiary stewards and to racecourse detectives be kept down, and that, further, the payment to the Spoil's Protection League should he discontinued. The election of officers resulted : President. Air W. Jewell; vice-pre-sident, Mr Kennedy (Geraldine); cxi-c'.pi vi■. South Island, Messrs E. V :)c p. .1. Evans, and F. R-o----che: v.irfh Island, (be lion. E. W. Alison and Messrs A. Brncc and W. A. !