NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 252, 16 July 1915, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

RACING CONFERENCE.

FIXTURES FOR THE SEASON.

WELLINGTON, This Day,

Th e Racing Conference met to-day and Sir Goerge Clifford delivered his presidential address, Th e Stipendiary'Stewards Committee reported that there had been a considerable volume of book-making during the latter part of this season, and they strongly urged the Conference to meet the Minister of Justice and devise som e more effectual administration of the law in the direction of suppressing this illegal system of gambling.

The Committee appointed to consider the dates of race meetings approved dates as follows: Horowhenua, September 20th; Kurow (optional), September 30th or October 14th; Waipa, December 4th; Ashhurst, November 24; Manawatu to select dates for December 29th; Gisborne, February 3rd and sth; South Canterbury, March 23 and 25; Southland, April 12 and 13; Manawatu, April 12 and 13; Gisborne, June 15 and 17! Hawke’s Bay, June 30 and July 1; South Canterbury Hunt Club, July 22.

SUGGESTED WAR TAX

TOTE COULD NOT STAND IT,

A PRESIDENT’S OPINION,

■WELLINGTON, Thursday.

In liis speech to the members o the New Zealand Trotting Conference, which opened this morning, the president, Mr John Rowe, made reference to the proposal to further tax the totalisator. He said:

With reference to the proposed schem© of war taxation it has been isuggestod, but, I may add, not by the Government, that a special and distinctive tax should be imposed on New Zealand’s pastimes. This, to me, savours somewhat of burdening the willing horse with a further heavy load. I maintain that a special tax should not be imposed upon any one class, or any pastime of the community, and I have no doubt that those who are urging this matter along are directing their energies chiefly against totalisator racing and trotting clubs. Hors© racing is not only a wholesome sport, ■ but one that does good service in many ways to the country. Th e highly-bred stallions, both racing and trotting, that have been imported, not only keep racehorses up to a high standard, but they also improve the standard, th e character and stamina of the general utility horse. If we find, as undoubtedly w e should, that in consequence tlicr© is a dearth of suitable horses for all requirements, particularly for war purposes, no scheme on the part of the Government or anybody would take the place of those who at present breed race-horsos. If racing and trotting. ar e to remain in the high estimation of the public, the legalised form of betting is certainly necessary and preferable to the indiscriminate betting and other evils which previously obtained. We hav e striven hard and arc justly proud that th e sport has been raised to the high level it has reached to-day. I hav e endeavoured to show, in the event of a special tax being imposed, how it would tend to I tarnish our sport, and decrease the . Government revenue. The loss to the Treasury would perforce have to be J made up by th e country.

Briefly, I would like to show the reasons why the suggested tax would be unfair to the clubs which form the machinery whereby the Government builds up a considerable part of its annual revenue. The feeling seems to be that the present Government tax is with some clubs, almost at breaking point, particularly when it is consider, ed that in many instances big financial difficulties, in th e shape of mortgages, being experienced. Originally the Government tax was lirper cent. It was then raised to 21 per cent... and. in recent years there;, was a further tax of 2% per cent imposed. CVusidowing that the -combined racing arid trotting clubs wiH. by the e»4

of tlie present racing season, have paid into the Consolidated Fund considerably over £IOO,OOO and have voluntarily contributed £20,000 to the patiotic funds and various channels to augment the war funds, is it fair or reasonable to load them with further taxation which would necessarily block them from carrying out their promises, already made, to donate further large sums as the war progresses? Th e question might be fairly ask : ed: Can the clubs be reasonably expected to do more, and if so, would their funds allow each and all of them to make a further payment in the shape of a fresh tax?