STRATFORD RACING CLUB'S AFFAIRS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 84, 30 March 1914, Page 4

STRATFORD RACING CLUB'S AFFAIRS.

The energetic Stratford correspondent of the New Plymouth morning paper, quite laudably no doubt actuated with the desire to find "a tale to tell," has reproduced some statements regarding the Stratford Racing Club, which are, to say the least, misleading, and though possibly set forth in print in good faith but want of knowledge, almost appear to have filtered through a tainted channel. It is not difficult to so dress up a few bare facts that they may appear quite what they are not, and— inadvertently, we are quite sure—the New Plymouth paper's correspondent has so acted in regard to what he says regarding that exceedingly well-managed and flourishing institution—the Stratford Racing Club. As it is possible that some of the few interested might havo their attention directed to tho statements referred to, and be misled -thereby, we held it to be a fair thing to approach the Club's secretary and treasurer and see where the truth really lies, though the Club's internal affairs are surely hardly for discussion in the public press. On enquiry we find that neither the President, Secretary nor Treasurer of the Club has been approached by the "News" correspondent, and it is therefore not surprising that inaccuracy and wrong statements appear in his contribution. In some instances the figures given are altogether incorrect, and despite the assertion made we find that 1 steps have been taken to endeavor to carry out the wishes of the annual meeting, which directed, by resolution, that Steps be taken to relieve the guarantors of their liability, when convenient. The assumption that general dissatisfaction exists amongst the members of the Club is purely gratuitous, and while some of the facts now known make it plain that while there may be some dissatisfaction amongst a coterie of members it is by no means universal, and what the real object of this dissatisfaction is those who are fomenting it well know. It might be asked why a circular letter signed by one of the presumably "dissatisfied" members should only have been sent to a favored few if the objects of the present little agitation are as worthy as we are asked to believe. But we have not time or space to deal with the merits of the case: We are i merely warning members against misleading ex parte statements. Want ! of knowledge is presumably a sufficient reason for the very sweeping statement "that it is impossible to imagine that any objection can be found sufficiently plausible to prevent this desirable aim" (chat is the abolition of that great bulwark of the Club's financial stability—the guarantee'), being achieved. Considering that the real matter under discussion is a more or less private one, and can have no general interest to the great bulk of our readers, we do not intend to refer further to it except to say that we certainly hope there will be a very large gathering of members, because we are assured that any doubts that may have arisen in members' minds through the circulation of one-sided statements ivifl be quite dispelled by the officers of the Club at that meeting, and that it will be found that except in the distorted imagination of a few who desire that dissatisfaction shall exist, there is no dissatisfaction. How could there possibly be with such a record as the Club to-day has? One has only to look carefully into the position of the Club ; to note the progress it has made; the great success of its

meetings; to remember the personnel of the officials and of the members who have signed the guarantee to find the answer. Its leading officials and guarantors are amongst the live business men of this district ; they are actuated by the highest motives in the interests of clean sport; the guarantors don't ask to he relieved, and the Club must cany "out extensive improvements. And because of these tilings the real workers' reward is captious criticism and the cavilling of the smaller-minded. What do the objectors really want?