LESS SPORT

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 21 September 1917, Page 1

LESS SPORT

RESTRICTIONS IN AUSTRALIA. The Federal Minister of Defence (Senator Pearoe) made an- announcement a few days ago in connection with the curtailment of sport throughout Australia. "In connection with the restrictions of sport," said the Minister, " the proposals of the various State committees were placed before Cabinet, and the recommendations of the New South Wales committee have been adopted, and are to be taken as a guide to the regulation of racing generally in other States. These provide for a general reduction as compared with pre-war racing fixtures; that is. to say, in fixing the amount of racing in each State regard will be paid to the number of race meetings held prior to the war, and on that basis the number will be fixed. - ' .P 16 - recolnm€lldat ions are extensive m detail, and before being made public regulations embodying the recommendations) will have to be drawn up. These are now engaging the attention of the Crown Law officers. There will be a considerable curtailment of racing—in regard to New South Wales quite 50 per cent.—and racing includes registered and unregistered meetings, horse racing, pony racing, and trotting. Cabinet has not yet had an opportunity of examining the Victorian recommendations in detail. There has been a considerable curtailment of racing both in Victoria and Tasmania already, but the basis as indicated will be applied to all States in the Commonwealth. With regard to football, it is not proposed to take any action now the season has almost ended, and at the most there are not more than three or four fixtures, to end the season. As to boxing, we are taking action. Boxing is to be limited in each State. "We have also decided there is to be not more than one mixed vaudeville and boxing entertainment a week. This kind of_ entertainment prevails in New South Wales more than elsewhere. T want to say that we shall have regulations drawn up by the Crown Law authorities so that no one will be able to get outside of the recommendations, which have been adopted. We should properly safeguard ourselves.' 1